Periodontal Phenotype, Sagittal Root Position and Buccal Bone Thickness in Maxillary Anterior Teeth: A Clinical and Tomographic Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: To study the soft and hard tissue anatomy in the maxillary anterior area and to assess the relationship between sagittal root position (SRP) and periodontal phenotype and between the thickness of the facial bone and the gingival thickness (GT). Materials and Methods: Seventy-five subjects (450 teeth) were enrolled. The clinical examination included the crown width/ length ratio, gingival width, papilla height, GT, and evaluation of gingival phenotype by transparency of the periodontal probe. The radiographic assessment, using soft-tissue tomographic scans, included the GT, thickness of buccal alveolar bone and SRP of the maxillary six anterior teeth. Results: The frequency distribution of SRP classes among Jordanians was 87.3% Class I, 6.9% Class II, 0.0% Class III and 5.8% Class IV. The SRP was not found to be related to the different components of the periodontal phenotype. A positive correlation was found between bone and GT at all levels (P < 0.001) and 78% of all the examined sites showed labial plate thickness < 1mm. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, and among the population examined, the SRP of the maxillary anterior teeth was not related to the periodontal phenotype. Yet, the bone and GT were positively correlated. Most Jordanians have a thin bone morphotype. Keywords: Periodontal phenotype, Sagittal root position, Bone thickness, Gingival thickness.