Study On Periodontal Biotypes In The Anterior Maxilla Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the feasibility of using a novel radiocontrast agent with cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)in the maxillary anterior,and to evaluate the accuracy of judging the gingival thickness and labial plate thickness at different levels using probe visibility assessment.The thickness of the gingival and labial bone plates was measured using our CBCT methods.The differences in the thickness of the gums and bone plates between different periodontal biotypes were compared.MethodsIn this study,30 volunteers were enrolled and were performed using a radiocontrast agent in the maxillary anterior.The main components of the radiocontrast agent were iopamidol injections and dental agar-based hydrocolloid impression materials.The gingival thickness was measured twice at the labial central glaze cementum(CEJ)in the anterior region and at 3 mm and 6 mm apical to the CEJ.The paired t-test was used to analyze the repeatability of the two measured values.Probe visibility assessment was used to determine periodontal biotypes,and all 180 teeth in the maxillary anterior were divided into thin biotype and thick biotype.The thickness of the gingiva at the CEJ,at 3 mm and 6 mm apical to the CEJ was measured.In addition,the thickness of the labial bone plate at 3 mm and 6 mm apical to the CEJ was measured.The difference in gingival and labial bone thickness between different periodontal biotypes was compared.Results1.Repeated measurements were analyzed with gingival thickness.No significant difference was found between the two measurements(P>0.05).The gingival thickness obtained by this method was reproducible.2.In the study,the periodontal biotypes in the maxillary anterior were mainly thin biotype.3.To compare with thin biotype and thick biotypes in anterior maxilla,there was statistically difference of gingival thickness at CEJ and at 3 mm apical to the CEJ.However,there was no difference of gingival thickness at 6 mm apical to the CEJ.4.To compare with thin biotype and thick biotypes in anterior maxilla,there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the labial bone plate at 3 mm and 6 mm apical to the CEJ.Conclusions1.It is feasible to use the novel radiocontrast agent with CBCT in the maxillary anterior teeth.2.It is a suitable method for a clinical examination to evaluate gingival thickness and labial bone plate using the probe visibility assessment.However,the further study should be performed to evaluate the accuracy of different levels using the probe visibility assessment.