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232]
ABSTRACT
Gingival/periodontal biotype is now known to influence the indications and outcomes of various therapies routinely performed
in a dental clinic. The delicate thin biotype is more susceptible to injury and responds in a different way clinically as compared
to the sturdier thick biotype. Assessment, identification, and indicated treatment considerations are now becoming the key to
achieve predictable results, good esthetics, and stability of soft tissue margins. This review describes the various classifications,
methods of assessment and clinical considerations for both the thick and thin tissue biotypes.
DOI: How to cite this article: Shah R, Sowmya NK, Thomas R, Mehta DS.
10.4103/2229-5194.188172 Periodontal biotype: Basics and clinical considerations. J Interdiscip
Dentistry 2016;6:44-9.
GINGIVAL/PERIODONTAL BIOTYPE contour, thick flat osseous gingival contour, broad apical
CLASSIFICATIONS contact areas in teeth, and square anatomic crowns. It
is mostly associated with periodontal health. The tissue
Several classifications have been pr oposed for is dense with a wide zone of attached gingiva. The
gingival/periodontal biotypes. Even while classifying underlying bony architecture is considered to be thick.
periodontal biotypes, gingival thickness is considered an Surgical exposures in such cases demonstrate thick
important factor as gingival and periodontal biotypes are underlying osseous forms [Figure 2].[3,10] The prevalence
considered to be closely related. Gingival/periodontal of thick biotype is around 56%.[11,12]
biotype may differ from tooth to tooth in a person; may differ
with age, gender, and dental arch location.[4] There is no
universally accepted classification for gingival/periodontal METHODS OF MEASUREMENT OF
biotypes. There is also a lack of agreement between GINGIVAL THICKNESS
authors as to what thickness of gingiva would be
considered thin or thick. Gingival biotypes were initially Many methods have been proposed till date to analyze the
classified by Oschenbein and Ross as thin or thick. gingival tissue thickness. These are described as follows:
However, several classifications of gingival biotypes
have been presented over time [Table 1].[5‑8] In a recent Direct measurements
systematic review, it was concluded that the available The gingiva is anesthetized by topical application of an
definitions of gingival/periodontal biotypes are unclear, anesthetic gel. An endodontic spreader with a rubber stop/
and the three biotypes: Thin scalloped, thick flat, and caliper is inserted at a point at the center of the gingival
thick scalloped seem a comprehensive categorization margin and mucogingival junction in a perpendicular
in defining periodontal biotypes in the population.[9] In direction and this measurement is recorded against a
spite of a lack of agreement for the classification method, digital caliper. It is an accurate method of measurement,
most of the studies attribute similar features to a thick and however it is an invasive technique.[8]
a thin biotype. Each biotype possesses its own unique
characteristics. Visual examination
The thin and scalloped biotype is said to have a delicate The gingival biotype is clinically evaluated based on the
and thin periodontium, highly scalloped gingival tissue, general appearance of the gingiva around the tooth. The
usually may present slight gingival recession, presents gingival biotype was considered thick if the gingiva was
highly scalloped osseous contour, small incisal contact
areas in the teeth, and triangular anatomic crowns. Thin Table 1: Different classifications for gingival/
gingival tissue tends to be delicate and almost translucent periodontal biotype
in appearance. The tissue appears friable with a minimal
Authors Classification
zone of attached gingiva, and the soft tissue is highly Ochsenbein and Ross[1] Scalloped Flat and thick
accentuated and often suggestive of thin or minimal bone and thin
over the labial roots. Surgical exposure in such cases Seibert and Lindhe[2] Thick ≥2 mm Thin <1.5 mm
generally demonstrates thin labial bone with an increased Becker et al.[5] (distance Flat: 2.1 mm Scalloped: Pronounced
between interproximal 2.8 mm scalloped: 4.1 mm
incidence of fenestration and dehiscence [Figure 1].[3,10] The and mid‑facial level of
prevalence of thin biotype is around 43%.[11,12] alveolar bone)
Kan et al.[6] Thick >1 mm Thin ≤1 mm
Claffey and Shanley[7] Thick ≥2 mm Thin <1.5 mm
The thick and flat biotype is characterized by thick heavy
Egreja et al.[8] Thick >1 mm Thin <1 mm
periodontium, gingival margin usually placed coronal
to CEJ, wide zones of keratinized gingiva, flat gingival
Figure 1: Clinical presentation of thin gingival biotype Figure 2: Clinical presentation of thick gingival biotype
dense and fibrotic and thin if the gingiva was delicate, in thin biotype, we see more inflammatory changes and
friable, and almost translucent. The advantage of this recession of gingiva.[10] This basic difference in the response
technique is that it is minimally invasive, however it has of thick biotype tissue as compared to thin biotype is the
been found to have a very low accuracy and a very high fundamental for the variation response and consideration
interexaminer variation.[13] for these under various clinical scenarios. Patients with a
thin biotype are more vulnerable to connective tissue loss
Probe transparency and epithelial damage, thus they need special atraumatic
treatment and oral hygiene techniques.[18]
Sulcus probing of the mid‑facial aspect of the tooth
is performed. The gingival biotype is categorized as
Crown lengthening procedure
either thin or thick according to the visibility of the
underlying periodontal probe through the gingival tissue In crown lengthening procedures, the amount of tissue
(visible = thin, not visible = thick). It is a minimally invasive exposure required for further rehabilitation of the
technique with a good accuracy.[14] tooth dictates the amount of bone removal during the
procedure. Significant postoperative tissue rebound has
Ultrasonic devices been observed in cases of thick biotype as compared to
thin biotype.[19] Thus, tissue biotype is an important feature
A sensitive, thin probe attached to an ultrasonic device to be assessed in such cases, and slight overcorrection or
measures the biotypes ultrasonically. It uses the pulse echo immediate rehabilitation may be advised in such cases.
principle for the determination of biotype thickness. This
technique gives accurate measurement ‑ digital display, Orthodontic therapy
avoids interexaminer variability, and noninvasive, but the
high cost of equipment and limited availability make it In the course of orthodontic therapy, teeth are moved
less feasible.[15] in various directions (buccally, lingually, coronally, and
apically). In an attempt to bring teeth in an ideal position,
Cone beam computed tomography it may sometimes lead to soft tissue recession or hard
tissue dehiscence and fenestration. It has been observed
It is used to visualize and measure the thickness of both that such tooth movement results in increased recession
hard and soft tissues. Highly accurate results can be and increased incidence of dehiscence and fenestration
achieved using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), formation in cases with thin biotype.[20] Hence, such
and there is no interexaminer variation. However, there cases should be approached with more caution. Another
is some amount of radiation exposure and increased cost consideration could be placement of mini‑screws where
for the patients.[16,17] a thin biotype warrants more caution.
thinner biotype can be treated preferably with techniques cases, preemptive biotype correction may be considered.
that create a pseudo‑thick biotype such as a connective The tissue biotype is considered a key factor in implant
tissue graft in conjunction with coronally advanced flap as esthetics, preventing future mucosal recession, and
compared to a coronally advanced flap alone.[10] In another improving immediate implant success.[28‑30]
study, it was mentioned that the thin gingival biotype may
impair the clinical outcome of root coverage procedures, Another emerging concept in patients with thin biotype
and to overcome this, the same coverage can be done is that of a flapless approach for implant placement. In
using sub‑epithelial connective tissue graft which provides the conventional method, a full‑thickness buccal and
better results.[23] lingual/palatal flap is raised, osteotomy is prepared, and
implant placement is done. In the minimally invasive
Supragingival tissue flapless approach, a surgical guide is prepared using the
CBCT image. Using the guide, a circular punch is made on
It has been observed that median supracrestal gingival
the ridge and implant placement is done. This prevents the
tissue is more in thick flat biotype as compared to thin
disruption of blood supply to alveolar bone which would
scalloped biotype.[24] Overhanging restorations can more
be occurring when we raise a full thickness flap. Studies
frequently and rapidly result in tissue destruction.
have shown that after the placement of implants using a
flapless approach, the papillary recession and bone loss
Flap handling were minimized in patients with thin gingival biotype.[31]
Owing to the delicate nature of gingival tissue in thin
biotype routine, procedures such as gingival curettage In addition, it has been shown in a study that laser
needs to be performed more carefully. In cases of flap micro‑textured implant collar may prevent proximal bone
surgery, careful handling of the flap is more significant in less in thin biotype cases.[27]
thin biotype cases.
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