Gingival Phenotype and its Role as a Risk Indicator for Gingivitis and Periodontitis: A clinical study

Abstract

Background-

The morphology of the normal gingival tissue mirrors the underlying structure of epithelium, lamina propria and alveolar bone. The quality of soft tissue surrounding a tooth refers to as the gingival phenotype which has a significant impact on the outcome of periodontal and endodontic therapy.

Aim- This study aims to evaluate the role of a thin gingival phenotype and inadequate width of keratinized mucosa as potential risk indicators for gingivitis and periodontitis.

Material and methods- This is a cross-sectional study including50 patients aged between 21 and 55 years.The patients were group as test group- patients with thin gingival phenotype (25) and control group- patients with thick gingival phenotype (25). Clinical parameters included gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth (PPD), gingival phenotype (GP) using a William's graduated periodontal probe, and the determination of the width of keratinized mucosa (WKM) were recorded. The data collected from the samples were tabulated, and descriptive statistics were performed using appropriate statistical software.

Results- The study showed that the plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) values were significantly higher in patients with a thin gingival phenotype (test group). The present study found no significant difference in probing depths between individuals with thick and thin gingival phenotypes. However, the study did confirm that individuals with a thin gingival phenotype exhibited higher probing depths when compared with those having a thick gingival phenotype.The width of attached gingiva was significantly higher in patients with a thick gingival phenotype.

Conclusion- The findings presented in this study underscore the significance of gingival phenotype in determining oral health outcomes. To expand on this knowledge, future research should consider larger and more diverse study populations, encompassing individuals of varying ages and ethnicities, to account for the potential influence of gingival pigmentation. Currently, there is a limited number of interventional studies in this domain, necessitating further exploration and subsequent application of these findings in clinical settings. In summary, gingival phenotype exhibits a clear correlation with gingival thickness, gingival width, and buccal bone thickness. The assessment of gingival phenotype should be an integral part of daily clinical practice to identify individuals at high risk, particularly those with a thin gingival phenotype.