Relationship Between Gingival Thickness And The Underlying Bone Thickness Of Maxillary Anterior Teeth

Objective: To explore the relationship between gingival thickness and the underlying alveolar bone’s thickness in maxillary anterior region and it’s association to distance from CEJ to alveolar crest which is measured by cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT), and also to detect the accuracy and reliability of gingival thickness measured by CBCT.Methods: 30 young volunteers with healthy gingiva were evaluated in this research(aged 18-30 years,15 males and 15 females).Five records were measured by CBCT: gingival thickness(GT) were measured at 2mm below the Cemento-enamel junction(CEJ), buccal bone thickness(BT)were measured at 3 locations:2mm、4mm、6mm below the alveolar crest, and the distance from CEJ to alveolar crest.The repeatability was detected after 1 week. The accuracy of CBCT measurement was detected by clinical direct measurement(GT measured at 2mm below gingival margin by direct transgingival probing).Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between CBCT measurement and clinical measurement(t=-0.521,P=0.603).There were statistically significant relations between GT and BT that 2mm、4mm、6mm below alveolar crest(r=0.493;r=0.383;r=0.342,P<0.001);as well as the distance from CEJ to alveolar crest(r=-0.213,P<0.01).Conclusion: In this research, there are positive relations between GT and BT that 2、4、6mm below alveolar crest; and negative association with the distance from CEJ to alveolar crest. CBCT scans may be a noninvasive and accurate method to measure gingival thickness.