Assesment of the correlation and relationship between the gingival phenotype and the clinical and morpometric parameters of the teeth and gingiva

Objective: This study aims to assess whether there is a valid correlation between the identified multiple clinical and morphometric parameters and the gingival phenotype. Materials and Methods:Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing bleeding index (PBI), pocket depth (PD), gingival thickness (GT) at three different levels-A,B and C points, keratinized gingival width (KGW), and papilla length (PL) were measured in the incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars of 50 individuals in both the upper and lower jaws. In addition, crown width (CW), crown length (CL), and gingival angle (GA) values were measured in study models. Statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results: The Kappa analysis showed a high level of agreement between the average GT and GT at points A and B, while there was a moderate level of agreement with GT at point C (p<0.001). Positive correlations were observed between CD and PBI, KDG, KG, GA, and GT (p<0.05); between KDG and KG,GT,GA (p<0.05); between GA and KG, GT (p<0.05); between PL and KU (p<0.05). Negative correlations were found between KU and CD, KDG, GA, GT (p<0.05); and between PL and GA (p<0.05). In the analysis based on point A GT, positive correlations were observed between GT and PI, KDG, and negative correlations between KU and GI (p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that females had thinner GT (OR:4.199) and the maxillary right posterior region had the thickest GT (p<0.05). In the classification based on average GT, positive correlations were found between GT and PI, KDG, GA, and negative correlations with KU (p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that females had thinner GT (OR:1.968) and the maxillary posterior region had thicker GT compared to other regions (p< 0.05). No relationship was found between GT and KG/KU, GI, and age. Conclusion: Differences in GT between dental arch regions and Ramfjord teeth indicated that examining only maxillary anterior teeth may be insufficient for phenotype determination. Although a direct relationship between GT and KG/KU could not be found, positive and negative correlations were observed between GT and crown morphology. It is considered that measurements taken at different levels are consistent with each other in phenotype determination, but the use of three-point measurements is important for the detailed evaluation of GT, which is determined with very small measurements.