The associations of attached gingival thickness in the buccal and palatal region of the maxilla and in the buccal region of the mandibula with age and gender

Introduction: Orthodontic treatments often utilize mini-screws for anchorage control. Gingival thickness is one of the significant factors affecting the success of mini-screws. Gingival thickness varies among individuals and different regions of the mouth based on age and gender. This study aimed to investigate gingival thickness variations regarding age, gender, and sites where mini-screws are frequently applied and to guide mini-screw size selection. Material-Method: In our study, gingival thickness measurements were performed by a transgingival probing method in 224 patients who presented for examination to the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Aydın Adnan Menderes University. Fifty-six females and 56 males aged 14-20 and 21-27 years were enrolled in the study. In each individual, measurements were made from the mucogingival junction at the interdental area in the buccal mandibular and buccal maxillary regions, whereas at the interdental area within 4 mm and 8 mm distance from the gingival crest in the palatinal maxilla. Results: Comparisons between genders indicated that gingival thickness in the buccal region of the maxilla was statistically significantly greater in males than in females (p<0.05). In age-based comparisons, gingival thickness in the buccal and palatinal regions of the maxilla in younger age group individuals was significantly less than in older age group individuals (p<0.05). Interregional comparisons revealed that gingival thickness was most significant in the molar zone in the buccal region of the mandible, in the incisor zone in the buccal region of the maxilla, in the premolar zone within 4 mm of the maxillary palatinal region, and the molar zone within 8 mm of the maxillary palatinal region. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the gingival thickness varies with age and gender in different mini-screw applied sites. Variations in gingival thickness should be accounted for while choosing the mini-screw size in clinical applications.