Prevalence of gingival biotype among patients visiting a dental hospital in Kathmandu
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Keywords

Central incisors
gingival biotype
probe transparency technique

Abstract

Introduction: Gingival biotype plays a significant role in predicting the response of gingiva to various dental operative procedures like periodontal, restorative, orthodontic and implant therapy.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of gingival biotype among patients visiting a dental hospital in Kathmandu

Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 patients aged 18-55 years who attended the Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology of Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Attarkhel, Kathmandu from November 2021 to January 2022. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method. Gingival biotype of the patients was measured by probe transparency method. Prevalence of gingival biotype its association with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed.

Results: Of the total, majority had thick gingival biotype in all central incisors (113, 61.4% each in maxillary central incisors, 105, 57.1% in right mandibular central incisors and 107, 58.2% in left mandibular central incisors). Gingival biotype was significantly associated with ethnicity (p-value 0.039). Higher proportion of Janajati/ Newar (58, 72.5%) had thick gingival biotype as compared to individuals from other ethnicities.

Conclusions: Thick gingival biotype were more prevalent in maxillary and mandibular central incisors.

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