The gingival biotype in a cohort of Chinese subjects with and without history of periodontal disease

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the gingival biotype in Chinese subjects with and without a history of periodontal disease. Material and Methods: Thirty periodontally healthy subjects and 20 subjects with treated chronic periodontitis were recruited. The mid-buccal gingival thickness of upper central and lateral incisors was measured by a customized caliper in all subjects. The crown length and crown width of these teeth were recorded in the healthy group, while gingival recession was measured in the periodontitis group. These outcome measures were compared among the groups and sub-groups, and the correlation of gingival biotypes with clinical parameters was analyzed. Results: The mean thickness of gingiva in the 30 periodontally healthy subjects was 1.050.31mm (0.47-1.57mm). The males exhibited a greater crown length than the females (P<.05). No significant correlation was found between gingival thickness and the crown width to crown length ratio. The mean gingival thickness at the 80 sites measured in the 20 periodontitis subjects was 0.89 +/- 0.29mm (0.33-1.56mm). Overall, gingival biotype as measured by gingival thickness was significantly correlated with gingival recession (r=-.240, P=.032), while a stronger correlation was found among the 42 sites with bleeding on probing prior to periodontal treatment (r=-.382, P=.013). Conclusion: This study shows that gingival biotype measured by gingival thickness in subjects with treated periodontitis is significantly correlated with gingival recession. Further study could clarify the clinical implications of gingival biotype in the management of periodontal patients.