• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2008

Purpose: Variation in the morphology of gingival papilla may be determined by the shape and position of anatomic crown as well as contact area and embrasure form of individual teeth. However, periodontal biotype classification is regarded to be subjective because of the lack of definite criteria. In this study, we defined the objective parameters which constitute the periodontal biotype and measured their relationship. Materials and Methods: 109 of dental casts were prepared using three dimensional scanner and specialized reconstruction software, then acquiredvirtual models were sent to the 20 professional dentists to define the specific periodontal biotypes. Several parameters around periodontal structures were measured from the virtual models; facial surface area of the anterior tooth (AT), anterior papillary area (AP), proportion of the dento-papillary complex, clinical papillary length (PL), and clinical papillary angle (PA). Statistical analysis was performed to confirm the relationship among parameters. Results: Coincidence rate of periodontal biotype within observers was $63.77{\pm}16.05%$. Coincidence rate between observers was $76.15{\pm}16.43%$. Among the parameters measured, PL showed the most positive correlations and PA presented the most negative correlations. The parameter of the AP and PL of six maxillary anterior teeth showed significant correlation coefficient. Conclusion: Anterior papillary area and clinical papillary length would be objective parameters for determining the consistent periodontal biotypes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2017

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that may be useful for both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the periodontium. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is another noninvasive imaging technique capable of providing submicron spatial resolution. The purpose of this study was to present periodontal images obtained using ex vivo dental OCT and to compare OCT images with micro-CT images and histologic sections. Methods: Images of ex vivo canine periodontal structures were obtained using OCT. Biologic depth measurements made using OCT were compared to measurements made on histologic sections prepared from the same sites. Visual comparisons were made among OCT, micro-CT, and histologic sections to evaluate whether anatomical details were accurately revealed by OCT. Results: The periodontal tissue contour, gingival sulcus, and the presence of supragingival and subgingival calculus could be visualized using OCT. OCT was able to depict the surface topography of the dentogingival complex with higher resolution than micro-CT, but the imaging depth was typically limited to 1.2-1.5 mm. Biologic depth measurements made using OCT were a mean of 0.51 mm shallower than the histologic measurements. Conclusions: Dental OCT as used in this study was able to generate high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the superficial portions of periodontal structures. Improvements in imaging depth and the development of an intraoral sensor are likely to make OCT a useful technique for periodontal applications.