Abstract
Background and Purpose: Gingival phenotype (GP) can be measured in patient's clinical evaluations to predict the Schneiderian membrane thickness (SMT). Materials and Methods: In this analytic observational cross-sectional study, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 310 patients requiring implant surgery in the first or second molar area of maxilla were selected. The GP was determined by inserting a periodontal probe into gingival sulcus. If the outline of the underlying periodontal probe could be seen through the gingival, it was categorized as thin; if not, it was recorded as thick. The examiner measured SMT by calculating the average thickness of the Schneiderian membrane in three sequent cuts of CBCT images. All analyses were performed using SPSS Version 24 software. To analyze the data, independent samples test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression were performed. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05. Results: Age had no statistically significant relation with SMT and GP (P = 0.666 and P = 0.842, respectively). The difference of SMT among males and females was not statistically significant (P = 0.196). In terms of GP, males and females were statistically significantly different such that females had thin GP more frequently compared to males (P = 0.003). SMT was statistically significantly thinner in patients with thin GP compared to those with thick GP (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: It may be suggested that GP is an important clinical predictor for SMT, particularly if CBCT evaluations or histological examinations are not possible.
Keywords
Cone-beam computed tomography - gingival phenotype - implant surgery - Schneiderin membrane perforation - Schneiderin membrane thickness
