Masticatory mucosa in subjects with different periodontal phenotypes

Aims. The aim of the present investigation was to study thickness of mastic atory mucosa and gingival width in subjects with different periodontal phen otypes. Methods: Periodontal phenotypes were defined with the aid of cluster analys is of standardised parameters including mean gingival thickness and width a s well as ratio of crown width to its length at maxillary canines, lateral and central incisors of 40 young adults with healthy periodontal conditions . Results: 3 groupings could be observed. Clusters A1 and A2 comprised 75% of all subjects. They were characterised by thin gingiva and a slender tooth form. Clusters Al and A2 were differentiated by gingival width. Cluster B c omprised 11 subjects with relatively thick and wide gingiva and a quadratic tooth shape. In general, characteristics of the frontal sextant in the max illa were also found in other parts of the dentition. Thus, mean thickness of masticatory mucosa as well as gingival width and crown form differed sig nificantly among clusters. In addition, cluster B subjects had a significan tly greater mean periodontal probing depth. Multiple linear regression anal ysis was employed to identify significant factors influencing palatal mucos al thickness. Women had considerably thinner palatal mucosa than men. Furth ermore, cluster affiliation had a significant influence on thickness of pal atal mucosa. Thickest tissue was found in the premolar region, whereas the mucosa over the root prominence of the first molar represented an anatomica l barrier for graft harvesting. Conclusions: Thickness of masticatory mucosa strongly depends on gender and the periodontal phenotype.