Histomorphometric Evaluation of Gingival Phenotypic Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Oral Histology

Background:

• Understanding gingival and mucosal dimensions is crucial for periodontal health.
• Gingival thickness (GT), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and transparency are key phenotypic parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore histological dimensions of gingiva and alveolar mucosa.
• To evaluate associations between histological parameters and clinical gingival phenotypes (GT, KTW).

Main Methods:

• Histomorphometric analysis of gingival and mucosal tissue samples from 45 healthy volunteers.
• Measurements included thickness (gingival, mucosal, epithelial, connective tissue), epithelial papilla dimensions, and keratinization.
• Clinical assessment of KTW and probe visibility; statistical correlation analysis.

Main Results:

• Gingival thickness strongly correlated with connective tissue thickness and moderately with epithelial thickness and papilla length.
• Mucosal thickness was strongly associated with connective tissue thickness and keratinization.
• KTW showed weak correlations with epithelial thickness and papilla length; probe visibility was not significantly correlated with any parameter.

Conclusions:

• Connective tissue thickness is the primary determinant of gingival and mucosal thickness.
• Increased thickness is linked to longer, sparser epithelial papillae and higher keratinization.
• KTW is significantly associated with epithelial thickness and papilla length, highlighting its role in gingival phenotype.