Which method is most suitable for assessing the relationship between gingival thickness and bone thickness...

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an objective approach for determining the thickness of both soft and hard tissues, while digital intraoral scanner (DIS) is the most advanced method for evaluating the surface of soft tissues. The periodontal biotype, which includes gingival thickness, width, and alveolar bone morphology, is fundamental for clinicians to understand how the periodontium responds to physical, chemical, or bacterial stress, or during procedures like periodontal surgeries, implants, and orthodontics.

This study aims to identify the differences among the three methods for evaluating the hard and soft tissues in the maxillary anterior region in individuals with a healthy systemic condition and free from any dental defects.

The datasets from the 20 patients who fulfilled the study criteria, obtained from the scans, were saved in CBCT format and DIS format and subsequently analyzed using three different methods: M1 was applied using Galileos software version 1.8; M2 was utilized on Ondema 3D software version 2022; M3 combined DIS with CBCT using 3Shape software version 2.0.

When considering the central incisors at three positions 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm below the cementoenamel junction, the pairwise comparison of palate gingival thickness of each pair all show no statistically significant (P > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the pairwise comparisons between M1-M2 and M2-M3 for the measurement of labial gingival thickness (LGT) (P < 0.001). When considering labial bone thickness (LBT), only the pair of M1-M2 had statistically significant (P < 0.05).

The combination of DISs and CBCT has not been proven to provide higher accuracy, despite its more complex technique. The direct measurement method using CBCT data remains a reliable tool for assessing both soft and hard tissues.