Gingival thickness assessment at mandibular incisors of orthodontic patients with ultrasound and cone-beam ct.

Abstract

Background Quantitative and qualitative analysis of several periodontal parameters plays an important role in several dental procedures. Aim of the current study was to assess gingival thickness (GT) at mandibular incisors of orthodontic patients with two methods and determine how these methods are compared to each other when assessing periodontal anatomy through soft tissue thickness.Methods The sample consisted of 40 consecutive adult orthodontic patients. GT was measured at both central mandibular incisors, mid-facially on the buccal aspect, 2mm apically to the free gingival margin with two methods: a) clinically with an Ultrasound device (USD) and b) radiographically with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).Results CBCT measurements were consistently higher than USD measurements, with the difference ranging from 0.13 mm to 0.21 mm. No difference was noted between the repeated CBCT measurements at the right central incisor (Bias= 0.05 mm; 95% CI= -0.01, 0.11, p=0.104). Although the respective results for the left incisor indicated, statistically, that the measurements were not exactly replicated, the magnitude of the point estimate was small and not clinically significant (Bias= 0.06 mm; 95% CI= 0.01, 0.11, p=0.014). Small differences between CBCT measurements made by the 2 examiners at the left central incisor (bias= 0.06 mm, 95% CI= 0.01, 0.11, p=0.014) were detected. However, this difference was minor, and again, not clinically significant. The respective analysis on the right incisor showed no significant difference (bias= 0.05 mm, 95% CI= -0.01, 0.11, p=0.246).Conclusions Present data indicate that CBCT measurements were highly reproducible and yielded greater values compared to USD measurements.