Maxillary bone characteristics between thick and thin gingival biotypes with dentoalveolar protrusion

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare gingival thickness and five alveolar bone characteristics on the labial and palatal sides between thick and thin gingival biotypes in maxillary anterior teeth with dentoalveolar protrusion. MethodsThe prospective study included 40 healthy patients with 240 anterior teeth (33 men and seven women) with skeletal Class I malocclusion and dentoalveolar protrusion. The mean age was 20.5 ± 2.2 years. The thick (n = 108) and thin (n = 132) gingival biotypes were assessed by probe transparency. The gingival thicknesses and five alveolar bone parameters from cone beam computed tomography were measured. The differences between the thick and thin gingival biotype parameters were statistically analyzed. ResultsGingival thickness and palatal bone gradually increased toward the apical area, whereas the labial bone thickness was almost even. The thick gingival biotype showed thicker gingiva and alveolar bone than in the thin gingival biotype. The thick gingival biotype showed a shorter distance from the alveolar crest to the cementoenamel junction and less palatal cortical bone height than the thin gingival biotype. Cancellous bone was detected only on the palatal side, which started 4 mm (in thick) and 8 mm (in thin) apical to the crestal bone level toward the root apex. In addition, the thick gingival biotype showed significantly greater palatal cancellous bone than the thin gingival biotype (P < 0.01). ConclusionPatients with anterior dentoalveolar protrusion presented with either thick or thin gingival biotypes. The thick gingival biotype showed more favorable alveolar bone characteristics than the thin gingival biotype as far as orthodontic treatment is concerned.