Colorimetric studies of the gingiva. Color variation of the gingiva in the upper anterior region

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze, using CIELAB color system, the range ofgingival color variables in healthy gingiva of the maxillary incisor region.Results indicated:1. Color differences (dE) among the bilateral attached andmarginal gingiva of the incisor and lateral incisor regions were under 2.0. However, the attached and marginal gingiva of the canine regions were about 2.88 and2.45 respectively. The papillary gingiva was over 2.0 in each region.2. Compared to the incisor region, an increase in chromaticness and hue a*, b* with a decrease in lightness was observed in the attached, marginal, and papillary gingiva of the lateral incisor and canine region. The range in dE was from 2.28 to 3.36. In the attached and papillary gingiva, dE between the incisor and canine region was significantly bigger than the incisor and lateral incisor region.3.Decrease in chromaticness, lightness, and hue a*, b* was observed from the marginal to papillary gingiva, and dE was from 3.13 to 3.71 with a high being in theincisor region.4. Increase in chromaticness and hue a*, b* with a slight decreasein lightness was observed from the attached to marginal gingiva, and dE was from2.25 to 2.75.