The purpose of the present study was to examine the width of the facial and lingual keratinized gingiva and to determine how much keratinized gingiva is adequate for the maintenance of gingival health.
32 dental students, 19-29 yo w/ no pathologic pockets performed supervised OH. for 6 weeks. The gingiva from of all the B and L surfaces was assessed using the GI and PlI system. The width of attached gingiva was determined by subtracting the crevicular depth from the width of keratinized gingiva. Gingival exudate was measured on all B and L surfaces which had 2 mm or less of keratinized gingiva. The amt. of gingiva exudate from 118 tooth surfaces randomly selected from a total of 371 which had 2.5 to 3.0 mm gingiva was measured. Only plaque free surfaces were scored.
Less gingiva is needed to maintain health than generally believed . In areas of less than 2 mm keratinized gingiva inflammation persisted in spite of effective OH. It is suggested that 2 mm of keratinized gingiva is adequate to maintain gingiva health.
Criticism: assume no MGP noted, did they just subtract the average.
Back: Soft Tissue Articles Menu: Literature Review Topics Home: PIC Homepage