Gingival phenotype distribution in young Caucasian women and men - An investigative study.

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between gingival phenotype and tooth location based on selected index teeth ("Ramfjord") and assess possible differences between women and men. Material and methods Thirty-six women and 20 men voluntarily participated in this investigation with an average age of 23 years (min: 19; max: 37). Gingival phenotypes (GP) were assessed by transparency of a periodontal probe through the buccal gingival margin. Results A comparable and similar GP on all index teeth was only found in seven out of the 56 subjects, that is, thin or thick only: Five participants (three male/two female) showed a uniform and constantly thick and two females a constantly thin GP. While the majority of molars (94.6%; p = 0.006) showed a thick GP, premolars (61.6%; p = 0.09) as well as incisors (70.5%; p = 0.046) were predominantly categorized as thin. In addition, significantly thicker GP was in general observed for maxillary teeth (p = 0.001) but without differences between genders (p = 0.722). Conclusion No constant GP can be expected within one dentition. The use of the "Ramfjord teeth" may serve as a quick overview and reliable method to screen GP distribution.