Evaluation of the Attached Gingival Width and Sulcus Depth in an Adult Nigerian Population - A Pilot Study

Authors: Umeizudike Kehinde Adesola, Ameh Priscilla Okhiabigie, Adekunle Adeola, Ayanbadejo Patricia Omowunmi and Temiye Olakunle Ayodeji

Abstract

Background: The attached gingiva is an important anatomical component of the periodontium with clinical implications. Variations exist in the width of the attached gingiva reported in the literature. Concerns had been previously raised over the width that was considered adequate for a healthy periodontium. This study set out to assess baseline values of the attached gingival width and gingival sulcus depth in a healthy Nigerian population. Materials and methods: Attached gingival width and sulcus depth were determined by a visual method, using a Williams periodontal probe. There were 73 subjects (females representing 74% (n = 54) and males 26% (n = 19) who represented a healthy population of dental clinic attendees seen at the periodontology clinic in a teaching hospital. Subjects with moderate to severe gingival inflammation were excluded from the study. Mean values were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Mean attached gingival width was 3.26 (SD 0.96) mm and had a wide variation in different regions of the mouth. It was greatest in the maxillary central incisors and least in mandibular first premolars. No significant associations were observed between the attached gingival width and age or gender. The mean gingival sulcus depth was 1.33 (SD 0.36) mm. There was a weak but negative correlation between the attached gingival width and gingival sulcus depth. Conclusion: This study has defined baseline values for the attached gingival width and sulcus depth among Nigerians. This would help to determine deviation from the norm for this population and may help to identify individuals at risk for periodontal disease.

Download Article

Other articles in this issue

Article
Evaluation of the Attached Gingival Width and Sulcus Depth in an Adult Nigerian Population - A Pilot Study Umeizudike Kehinde Adesola, Ameh Priscilla Okhiabigie, Adekunle Adeola, Ayanbadejo Patricia Omowunmi and Temiye Olakunle Ayodeji Download
Microflora of Laboratory-Customized Dental Implant Abutments Alireza Tamizifar, Abbas Bahador, Mohammad Moharrami, Amir Alireza Rasouli-Ghahroudi, Ali Homayooni and Marzieh Alikhasi Download
Prevalence and Extent of Gingival Recession in a National Sample of Colombian Adults Carlos Serrano, Elizabeth Suárez and Alvaro Uzaheta Download
Laser and Cyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Dentine Hypersensitivity: Survival Analysis and Predictive Factors Dhelfeson Willya Douglas-de-Oliveira, Frederico Santos Lages, Maria Letícia Ramos-Jorge, José Cristiano Ramos Glória, Patricia Furtado Gonçalves and Olga Dumont Flecha Download
Effectiveness of Pomegranate Mouthrinse in Reducing Bacterial Plaque, Gingival Inflammation and Total Salivary Proteins over a Period of 90 Days: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial Jeevika Chandrasekhar Deepak and Srinivasan Raj Samuel Download