Assessment of gingival biotype in different facial patterns: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship of gingival biotype in different malocclusions. METHODS: A total of 157 periodontally healthy subjects (88 males and 69 females) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The study participants were divided into three groups of skeletal class I, class II, and class III. The probe transparency method was used to determine the quality and gingival tissue into thick and thin biotype. RESULTS: There was significant difference in gingival biotype among different skeletal malocclusion with high prevalence of thin gingival biotype in class I subjects and more prevalence of thick biotype in class II and class III individuals (P-value: 0.022). Pairwise comparison of gingival biotype in class I versus class II showed significant difference (P-value: 0.032); however in class I versus class III and class II versus class III, the test result was nonsignificant. The overall frequency of thin gingival biotype was significantly less in female subjects with respect to males (P-value: 0.025). CONCLUSION: A significant relationship is present between skeletal malocclusion and quality of gingival biotype. The prevalence of thick gingival biotype is found more in females as compared to male individuals. The thin gingival biotype is more commonly seen in skeletal class I than class II and class III.