Gingival zenith evaluation in an Andean population from Ecuador

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the gingival zenith of the maxillary incisors, canines and premolars in an Andean population from Ecuador. Materials and Methods: A total of 51 subjects (30 men and 21 women; mean age = 21 years) with healthy gingival tissue were recruited. Digital study models were obtained from maxillary casts and the features of the gingival zeniths including its position, gingival lines and level in the lateral incisors were analyzed. Results: The gingival zenith was distally displaced in all the maxillary central and lateral incisors and in 70.59%; 62.74% and 91.17% of the canines, first and second premolars, respectively. For the maxillary anterior teeth, the greater mean of displacement was verified in central incisors (0.89mm ±0.27 SD), followed by the lateral incisors (0.58mm ±0.22 SD) and the canines (0.48mm ±0.21 SD). The displacement levels in the central incisors were significantly higher in females compared to male participants (p=0.037). In addition, the ascending gingival line was the most common in the anterior dentition (right: 52.9%; left: 51%), whereas the descending one was the most prevalent in the premolar area (right: 58.8%; left: 70.6%). Lastly, the gingival zeniths of lateral incisors were more frequently located coronal to the gingival line (86.27%), to a mean distance of 0.82mm (0.1 – 3.1mm; ±0.46 SD) and without significant differences among the genders (p=0.520). Conclusion: The data obtained from the present study could be taken into consideration during dental aesthetic treatments, especially for Andean patients.