Evaluation of the relationship between recessions and biotype of gingiva and alveolar bone morphology

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between gingival biotype and underlying alveolar bone thickness. In addition, the relationship between gingival recession and bone thickness, which is common in patients and causes discomfort, has also been investigated. Proof of possible association of bone thickness with gingival biotype and gingival recession will lead to treatment planning prior to periodontal procedures such as mucogingival surgery and implant surgery. In this study, we investigated possible correlations between clinical periodontal parameters and gingival biotypes of the upper and lower incisors and canine teeth in radiologic measurements performed on cone beam computed tomography in the last 3 months. The gingival biotype was identified as "thin" / "medium" / "thick" with the newly developed biotype probe. Buccal bone thicknesses were measured at three points, crestal 1, 2 and 4 mm. In addition, the angulation and rotation values present in the teeth were also measured. Width of keratinized tissue, gingival recession, probing depth, plaque index, gingival index and bleeding were recorded in clinical periodontal parameters. Teeth which have ≥5 mm periodontal pocket depth were excluded from the study. According to the results of the intergroup comparisons, in thin biotype, width of keratinized gingiva and bone thickness at three levels were found statistically significantly lower than thick biotype (p<0.016). In medium biotype bone thickness at crestal 2 and 4 mm were found to be significantly less than the thick biotype (p<0.016). The relationship between gingival recession and gingival biotype was not found statistically significant. However, a negative correlation was seen between gingival recession and bone thickness at crestal 2 and 4 mm levels (p<0.05). As the buccal alveolar bone thickness decreased in the teeth, more gingival recession were seen as the result was achieved. As a result of this study, it can be concluded that there is a significant positive correlation between the gingival biotype and buccal alveolar bone thickness, and it could be said that amount of bone thickness may be effective on gingival recession. Key words: Alveolar bone thickness, gingiva, gingival biotype, gingival recession