January 2020

Objective: To evaluate gingival phenotypes in 100 subjects (n = 100), with regard to maxillary central incisors and surrounding periodontium in an observational diagnostic study. Materials and Methods: Individuals were grouped based on: Probing depth (PD); keratinized mucosa (KM); Ratio Height/Width Crown (CH/CW), papilla area (PA), gingival thickness (GT) and Gingival Volume (GV). ANOVA and chi-square tests were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: PD (p=0.860) and CH/CW (p=0.086) were not statistically significant. Cluster analysis identified three groups: Cluster I (n = 32) had the lowest values: KM (4.54mm), GT (0.83mm), PA (15.64mm²) and GV (3.80mm³); Cluster II (n = 43) presented KM (8.02mm); GT (1.40mm); GV (11.18mm³) and PA (14.10mm²); Cluster III (n = 19) exhibited an average KM of 5.57mm, GT (1.14mm), PA (20.08mm²) and GV (6.48mm³). Results: Cluster I was characterized as a thin phenotype; cluster II as thick, and cluster III, as an intermediate. Significant associations were found when transparency on probing was compared among clusters (p <0.05) and gingival exposure when smiling (p<0.05). Conclusion: Thin phenotype was found in 34.04% of the sample (cluster I), thick phenotype in 45.75% (cluster II) and intermediate phenotype in 20.21% (Cluster III).