Thermographic evaluation of gingival phenotypes: correlation between morphological and thermodynamic parameters

Abstract Objectives to evaluate the clinical and thermographic aspects of the gingival phenotype (GP) in healthy subjects. Materials and methods the study sample examined 264 upper and lower incisors, comprising 132 central incisors (CI) and 132 lateral incisors (LI). Four periodontal parameters were recorded systematically: ratio of width to length of the dental crown (CW/CL), height of the gingival attachment (GH), probing depth (PD) and gingival transparency (GT). The temperatures of the attached gingiva (GH Temp) and the free gingival margin (FGM Temp) were also recorded by way of infrared thermography (IRT). Results the average age of the sample was 30.70 ± 7.65 years. Of the 264 teeth evaluated, 76.1% had a thin GP. There was a significant association between CW/CL (p < 0.001), GH (p < 0.001), PD (p < 0.007) and FGM Temp (p < 0.006) with the tooth groups. The results show a significant and inversely proportional correlation between clinical parameters and gingival temperature (p < 0.05). A significant association was found between CW/CL (p < 0.026); GH (p < 0.001), and GP. Conclusion CW/CL and GH are determining parameters for GP. Moreover, an inversely proportional correlation can be observed between gingival temperature and the clinical morphological parameters that determine the GP. Clinical Relevance: The relationship between the clinical characteristics of the GPs and temperature could serve as one more parameter to help with the classification of gingival tissue. Moreover, our findings will help future studies evaluate the use of IR as an auxiliary diagnostic method in dentistry.