Gingival phenotype determination: Cutoff values, relationship between gingival and alveolar crest bone thickness at different landmarks

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gingival phenotype (GP) has been reported to influence the treatment planning and clinical outcomes in several dental specialties. This study aimed to investigate optimal cutoff values for gingival thickness (GT) measurement at different landmarks to determine GP. The correlations between GT and bone thickness (BT) of buccal alveolar crest were also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 600 teeth were included. GP was clinically determined by the transparency of a periodontal probe through the gingival margin (TRAN). Measurements for free gingival thickness (GT1), cementoenamel junction gingival thickness (GT2), supracrestal gingival thickness (GT3), subcrestal 1 mm gingival thickness (GT4) and BT at 1, 3 mm apical from the alveolar crest edge (BT1 and BT2) were assessed on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate correlations between GT and BT. RESULTS: The optimal cutoff values of GT using CBCT method to discriminate GP were 0.75 mm for GT1, 0.85 mm for GT2, 1.15 mm for GT3 and 0.45 mm for GT4. There was significantly positive correlation between GT and BT at all levels (r: 0.375–0.903). The correlations between GT3 and BT (r: 0.789–0.903) were strong, while correlations between GT4 and BT were weak (r: 0.375–0.467). CONCLUSION: The optimal cutoff values of gingival thickness using CBCT method to discriminate gingival phenotype at each gingival landmark were determined. The supracrestal gingival thickness might be an indicator of buccal alveolar crest bone thickness, which could provide valuable perspectives on clinical diagnosis, treatment planning and decision-making.