Adaptation of gingival biotype in response to prosthetic rehabilitation

Background: The gingival biotype is the width of the gingiva in the faciopalatal dimension. It is a feature of the periodontium that is susceptible to change when exposed to physical, chemical or bacterial injury or as a result of surgical or orthodontic treatment. Aim and Objective: The objective of the study undertaken was to assess the adaptation of gingival biotype following prosthetic rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Forty individuals between 20 and 40 years with healthy periodontium and full complement of teeth with absence of clinical attachment loss or systemic disease were selected for the study. The individuals were restored with a full-coverage porcelain fused to metal with a subgingival margin on root canal-treated teeth with no gingival recession. The gingival biotype of the tooth with the restoration was evaluated in terms of thickness with the help of transparency of the probe method. Twenty individuals were selected with thick biotype and rest with thin biotype. Follow-up was done after 6 months, and the gingival biotype and gingival recession were re-evaluated. Results: It was observed that out of the twenty individuals with thick biotype, eight underwent transformation to thin biotype. Furthermore, thin gingival biotype was more prone to gingival recession as five individuals were found to have gingival recession. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the current study, it was observed that gingival biotype may undergo transformation in response to prosthetic rehabilitation from thick to a thin gingival biotype progressively over a period of time. Hence, supragingival margins should be placed wherever possible. In addition, the thin gingival biotype has a higher susceptibility towards gingival recession.