Measurement properties of gingival biotype evaluation methods

There are numerous methods to measure the dimensions of the gingival tissue, but few have compared the effectiveness of one method over another.

This study aimed to describe a new method and to estimate the validity of gingival biotype assessment with the aid of computed tomography scanning (CTS).

In each patient different methods of evaluation of the gingival thickness were used: transparency of periodontal probe, transgingival, photography, and a new method of CTS). Intrarater and interrater reliability considering the categorical classification of the gingival biotype were estimated with Cohen's kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and ANOVA (P < .05). The criterion validity of the CTS was determined using the transgingival method as the reference standard. Sensitivity and specificity values were computed along with theirs 95% CI.

Twelve patients were subjected to assessment of their gingival thickness. The highest agreement was found between transgingival and CTS (86.1%). The comparison between the categorical classifications of CTS and the transgingival method (reference standard) showed high specificity (94.92%) and low sensitivity (53.85%) for definition of a thin biotype.

The new method of CTS assessment to classify gingival tissue thickness can be considered reliable and clinically useful to diagnose thick biotype.