AUTHOR(S): Dr. Nishitha C Gowda, Dr. Anju Babu, Dr. B.V. Chandre Gowda

ABSTRACT: The principle objective of orthodontic treatment is re-designing of smile, an important aspect of smile which is the “infrastructure” has a basic foundation consisting of biological width, bone thickness and the gingival “bio-type” which should be carefully evaluated as it helps in devising anappropriate treatment plan and treatment mechanics in achieving apredictable esthetic outcome.Aim: The purpose of the present study was to assess the distribution of gingival biotypes in the local population and to determine how the age and gender of the subjects interplay with tooth alignment in the determining the gingival biotype. Materials and Method: The study group included 1000 periodontally healthy male and female individuals of different age groups. Facial Gingival thickness was assessed in the maxillary and mandibular anteriors by transgingival probing (TGP). Results: It was observed that there was statistically significant association between alignment of teeth and age with the type of gingival bio-type (P<0.001). The gingiva was found to be thicker in females than males, in the mandibular arch than the maxilla with statistical significance (P<0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, it was concluded that gingival thickness varies according to age, gender and alignment of the teeth. Clinical significance: Use of simple and reliable method to assess type of gingival bio-type in clinical practice helps determine whether the orthodontist can advance or tip teeth without producing a bony dehiscence and gingival recession and this could help to tune the treatment for the individual and predict the specific outcome.

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