Gingivomorphometry - esthetic evaluation of the crown-mucogingival complex: a new method for collection and measurement of standardized and reproducible data in oral photography

Objectives: A new method is introduced for the esthetic evaluation of the periimplant mucogingival complex through collection of standardized oral photographs and computer-assisted measurement of reproducible data. Using this method, different soft tissue and crown parameters in the dentogingival complex can be measured and the esthetic outcome monitored. Material and methods: A photographic device for standardized oral photography and a standard protocol for the esthetic evaluation of the crown-mucogingival complex is presented, comprising six soft tissue parameters: (1) mesial and (2) distal papilla areas, (3) mesial and (4) distal papilla heights, (5) soft tissue-crown perimeter, and (6) gingival recession. In order to demonstrate the reproducibility of standardized oral photographs and the accuracy of the measurement of the six parameters, the data obtained in each of two such standardized clinical photographs, taken at 10-14 days intervals, of the anterior maxillary region from 10 patients with no apparent dental disease were compared. For the statistical analysis of the reproducibility of these dependent data the 95% confidence interval and the coefficients of variation were calculated from measurement means and ranges of each of the above parameters, pooled from all 10 patients. Results: Statistical analysis revealed high reproducibility with no significant differences between the range of mean values of all six parameter measurements on the first and second standardized oral photograph of the same patient, respectively. Conclusion: Gingivomorphometry on standardized oral photographs can be considered to be an accurate and reproducible method for the evaluation and measurement of different dentogingival and periimplant parameters.