Characteristics of periodontal biotype, its dimensions, associations and prevalence: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this review were as follows: What are characteristics used to define various forms of periodontal biotypes? What are their anatomic dimensions in relation to the definition? In addition, what is the association between these various characteristics in relation to the periodontal biotypes? Furthermore, what is the prevalence of various forms of periodontal biotypes in the population?


METHODS
The PubMed-MEDLINE, the Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched through up and till June 2013 to identify any appropriate studies regarding the aim. Appropriate studies were those reporting characteristics of various forms of periodontal biotype and its dimensions. These characteristics were gingival thickness (GT), gingival morphotype (GM), tooth dimensions (TD), keratinized tissue (KT) and bone morphotype (BM).


CONCLUSIONS
The search yielded 2581 unique papers, after selection resulted in 12 publications that met the eligibility criteria. In general, the available definitions are found to be unclear and sometimes inconsistent. However, based on the available literature, the three biotypes thin scalloped, thick flat and thick scalloped seem a comprehensive categorization in defining periodontal biotypes in the population. The dental, gingival and osseous dimensions have a weak to moderate association. Only between gingival thickness, keratinized tissue and bone morphotype uniform positive associations are found.
Department of Periodontology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jeroen
J
Zweers
Renske Z
RZ
Thomas
Dagmar E
DE
Slot
Arnold S
AS
Weisgold
Fridus G A
FG
Van der Weijden
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002965:Classification; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D007633:Keratins
bone morphotype; gingival biotype; gingival morphotype; gingival thickness; keratinized tissue; periodontal biotype; tooth dimensions