Gingival phenotype distribution in young Caucasian women and men - An investigative study

To evaluate the relationship between gingival phenotype and tooth location based on selected index teeth ("Ramfjord") and assess possible differences between women and men.

Thirty-six women and 20 men voluntarily participated in this investigation with an average age of 23 years (min: 19; max: 37). Gingival phenotypes (GP) were assessed by transparency of a periodontal probe through the buccal gingival margin.

A comparable and similar GP on all index teeth was only found in seven out of the 56 subjects, that is, thin or thick only: Five participants (three male/two female) showed a uniform and constantly thick and two females a constantly thin GP. While the majority of molars (94.6%; p = 0.006) showed a thick GP, premolars (61.6%; p = 0.09) as well as incisors (70.5%; p = 0.046) were predominantly categorized as thin. In addition, significantly thicker GP was in general observed for maxillary teeth (p = 0.001) but without differences between genders (p = 0.722).

No constant GP can be expected within one dentition. The use of the "Ramfjord teeth" may serve as a quick overview and reliable method to screen GP distribution.