Evaluation of the Reliability of Color-Based Phenotype Probes in the Determination of Gingival Phenotype

Objective: This study aimed to determine gingival thickness with newly developed color-based phenotype probes and to compare the results with the traditional method (transgingival probing). Methods: 100 individuals with a mean age of 38.37 ± 11.03 years who had Miller I class gingival recession in the anterior region were included in the study. In measurements performed with color-based phenotype probes, white (thin), green (medium), and blue (thick) colored tips were used. In the transgingival probing method, a digital caliper with a penetration depth of 0.01 mm sensitivity was used. Results: Of the teeth included in the analysis, 45% were in the maxillary anterior region, and 55% were in the mandibular anterior region. The mean tissue thickness was 0.76 ± 0.17 mm in the mandibular jaw and 1.22 ± 0.36 mm in the maxillary jaw (p= .001). A statistically significant relationship was found between the values determined with the transgingival method and the observed probe color (p= .001). The tissue thickness values of the cases whose observed probe color was white were significantly lower compared to those with green, blue, and no color (p< .05). When the mean tissue thicknesses were compared according to colors, tissue thickness significantly increased toward the blue color (p= .001). There was a statistically significant relationship with the gingival thickness measurement values (p= .001), and a low level of agreement was determined (Kappa=0.159). In addition, it was determined that different colors were observed with the color-based phenotype probes in the same quantitative ranges. Conclusion: Based on the assumption that color-based phenotype probes yield more subjective results, we believe that they can be used in clinical practice to determine gingival phenotype, but when quantitative data are required, prefering to use the transgingival method woud give more accurate results.