Soft Tissue Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Novel Method for the Measurement of Gingival Tissue and the Dimensions of the Dentogingival Unit

The dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival unit have been greatly overlooked because of the inability to easily and precisely determine them. The purpose of the present study was to develop a soft tissue cone-beam computed tomography (ST-CBCT) to improve soft tissue image quality and allow the determination of the dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival unit. Two separate CBCT scans were obtained from three patients with different periodontal biotypes. The first was a scan following standard methods; however, for the ST-CBCT the patients wore a plastic lip retractor and retracted their tongues toward the floor of their mouths. With the first scan, only measurements of the distance of the cementoenamel junctional (CEJ) to the facial bone crest, and the width of the facial alveolar bone were possible. In contrast, ST-CBCT allowed measurements of the distance of the gingival margin to the facial bone crest, the gingival margin to the CEJ, and width of the facial gingiva. ST-CBCT scans allowed a clear visualization, measurement of the dimensions, and analysis of the relationship of the structures of the periodontium and dentogingival attachment apparatus. The dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival attachment apparatus are essential aspects in many fields of dentistry and this report describes a simple, novel, and noninvasive technique to determine them. This technique may aid clinicians in the planning and execution of procedures in several dental specialties.