title: Gingival profiles in a select Asian cohort: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the facial gingival profiles of teeth with a healthy periodontium in an Asian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 51 patients with a healthy periodontium were examined. Gingival thickness (GT) and gingival width (GW) were assessed at the maxillary and mandibular incisors to the first molars. GT was measured by transgingival probing (GT-TGP), and probe visibility through the marginal gingiva (GT-TRAN) was assessed. Results between groups (anterior and posterior, tooth types) were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 30.3±11.4 years, with 27 females and 24 males. The mean GT-TGP was 1.39±52 mm, while the mean GW was 4.59±1.34 mm. Considerable intra-individual and interindividual variation in GT (TGP and TRAN) was noted. GT increased from the anterior to posterior, and was thinnest at the mandibular centrals to the first premolars and maxillary canines. GT-TGP and GW were influenced by tooth type, plaque, recession, and TRAN, but not age, sex, or ethnicity. GW were recorded lowest at the mandibular canines and all premolars. Thin gingiva was recorded at 63.8%-92% (GT-TGP<1.5 mm) and 75%-90% (GT-TRAN) of the anterior teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high percentage of anterior teeth had thin marginal gingiva. There was poor agreement between GT-TGP and GT-TRAN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wan Zhen
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3182-1712
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Marianne M A
authors.initials: MMA
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Alvin B-K
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005889:Gingival Recession; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009811:Odontometry; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010519:Periodontium; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012846:Singapore; D014070:Tooth; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: biotype; gingival recession; gingival thickness; keratinized gingiva; transgingival probing