Analysis of Age and Gender-Related Changes in Gingival Width in Patients of Known Population: A Cross-sectional Study

AIMS: The present study was conducted for analyzing age and gender-related alterations in gingival width (GW) in patients of known population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and ten healthy participants were enrolled in the present research. All the participants were divided into the following study groups with seventy participants in each group based on their age: adolescents, young adults, and older adults. All the participants were recalled and oral and periodontal examination was carried out using mouth mirror, probe, and explorer. Lidocaine spray was used for anesthetizing the anterior gingival region. A probe was used for assessing the width of the gingiva, in which and rubber stopper was fitted. In all the six maxillary anterior and mandibular anterior teeth, the width and thickness of the attached gingivae were assessed. All the measurements were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean width of the attached gingiva in the maxillary arch in adolescents, young adults, and older adults were found to be 2.51 mm, 2.93 mm, and 3.92 mm, respectively. Mean width of the attached gingiva in the mandibular arch in adolescents, young adults, and older adults were found to be 1.76 mm, 2.39 mm, and 3.19 mm, respectively. Significant results were observed while comparing the GW among participants divided on the basis of age group. Nonsignificant results were observed while comparing the GW among participants divided on the basis of gender. CONCLUSION: There is a significant enhancement of GW with the advancement of age in both the maxillary arch and mandibular arch.