On the relationship between gingival morphotypes and different crown shape assessments in young Caucasians

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations Vol. 20; no. 8; pp. 2185 - 2190
• Main Authors: Fischer, Kai R., Richter, Timo, Friedmann, Anton, Fickl, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age; Body height; Dental crowns; Dentistry; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Gingiva; Gingiva - anatomy & histology; Humans; Male; Medicine; Odontometry - methods; Original Article; Periodontics; Population studies; Statistical analysis; Teeth; Tooth Crown - anatomy & histology; Young Adult; Gingival morphotype; Probe transparency; Crown shape; Papilla height
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-016-1720-8

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between crown length as well as crown width and gingival morphotypes (primary aim) and their correlation with tooth shape and papilla height (secondary aim). Material and methods Thirty-six adult subjects were evaluated in this clinical study according to their gingival morphotype (GM) defined by transparency of a periodontal probe through the buccal gingival margin. Eighteen subjects comprised the thin entity group and 18 the control group thick entity, respectively. Besides crown length (CL) and crown width (CW), two different methods to assess crown shape (CW/CL ratio) were compared and analysis of their relation to papilla height was performed. Results Nineteen female and 17 male volunteers were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 24.9 years (±3.4; minimum 18, maximum 35). A statistical significant difference for the crown length could be detected between both groups ( p  < 0.05) but not for crown width. No significant difference was found for apical or coronal CW/CL ratio besides on tooth 22. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study and within this young Caucasian study population, only crown length seems to have an association with different gingival morphotypes. Furthermore, papilla height and crown shape do not have a clear correlation on tooth level. Clinical relevance Crown shape seems to be not a strong parameter in assessing the gingival morphotype.