Introduction: The objective of the study is to compare the accuracy of the measurement of gingival thickness using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) with direct clinical measurement on a pig jaw model, aiming to provide an alternate and precise method to aid assessment of the gingival biotype before immediate implant placement at the esthetic zone.
Materials and methods: Four pig mandibles were categorized separately into 14 different zones with each prominent tooth cusp as one. A high-resolution CBCT image was taken. Measurement of gingival thickness was performed using computer software and was compared with direct clinical measurements.
Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient between clinical and CBCT measurements were 0.995 (pig 1), 0.945 (pig 2), 0.966 (pig 3), and 0.932 (pig 4), which indicated a good match between 2 measuring methods. Independent t test showed no significant difference between 2 independent investigators in all aspect of measurements (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Measuring gingival thickness using CBCT is a predictable and accurate method to assess the gingival biotype of a patient, so as to predict the suitability of immediate implantation.