Ultrasonic determination of gingival thickness

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were (I) to determine the validity and reliability of measuring gingival thickness (GTH) with a recently developed, commercially available ultrasonic device; (II) to measure GTH in relation to tooth type and age of proband; (III) to correlate GTH with varying forms of premolars, canines and incisors. Ultrasonic measurements were performed in 200 periodontally healthy, male probands representing 3 different age groups (20-25, 40-45, 55-60 years). In the maxilla, mean GTH varied between 0.9 mm (canines, 1st molars) and 1.3 mm (2nd molars). In the mandible respective mean values ranged between 0.8 mm (canines) and 1.5 mm (2nd molars). No differences in means and standard deviations (0.36-0.39 mm) were observed in different age groups. In order to correlate GTH with other clinical parameters and form of tooth, in 42 probands of the youngest age group, presenting with no attrition or abrasion, no artificial crown restorations and (following prophylaxis) no overt gingivitis and no periodontal probing depth in excess of 3 mm, detailed clinical measurements and stone model cast analyses were performed. By stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, 24% (p < 0.0001) of the variation of GTH was explained by probing depth, recession, width of gingiva and tooth type. The ratio of the width of the crown to its length was not included into the model. When performing analysis of covariance with the subject as factor, the model was improved, now explaining 41% of the variation of GTH. In this model, the influence of periodontal probing depth was decreased, and recession was not included. It was concluded that there are individual differences in GTH (i.e., different biotypes). However, thickness mainly depends on tooth type and is correlated with width of gingiva. There appears to be no association with shape and form of the tooth. Validity and reliability of measuring GTH with the ultrasonic device was found to be excellent.

Correlation of Amount of Gingival Pigmentation with Gingival Biotype and Skin Pigmentation: An Observational Study

“…Thickness of gingiva is of significance in various specialties like periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and implantology as it is an issue of concern in the esthetic and functional outcome of the treatment. [7][8][9] Gingival biotype plays an important role in the position of marginal gingiva; unfortunately, periodontal literature attributes limited importance to gingival biotype when compared to width of attached gingiva. The actual functions of attached gingiva, such as resistance to masticatory, tensional, traumatic forces, and inflammation are possibly related to thickness as much as they are to the width of gingiva.…”

Fenotipos periodontales

“…Repitiéndose los resultados en otros estudios (6,8). Voight et al (9) (1978) realizan un trabajo similar, en donde estudian el ancho de la encía queratinizada por lingual.…”

Ultrasonography; A boon as a diagnostic & therapeutic aid in dentistry: A review

“…The advantages of US over other imaging modalities are its low cost, noninvasiveness and patient's compliance for followup. 10 Also ultrasonography guided needle biopsy is a safe and efficient diagnostic procedure. It is quite difficult to compare or even combine their outcomes in a scientifically meaningful manner.…”