Gingival thickness is a key determinant of periodontal and implant treatment outcomes. Conventional transgingival probing is reliable but invasive and requires local anesthesia. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers three-dimensional visualization but is limited by low soft-tissue contrast. This study introduces an air-effect–enhanced CBCT technique that creates a standardized air–tissue interface to improve visualization of gingival soft tissues. In this pilot study, a small convenience sample of ten healthy adults (51 sites) underwent gingival thickness measurements using transgingival probing and AE-CBCT. Cheek inflation was standardized to create a stable air cavity adjacent to the gingiva. A gutta-percha marker was placed at the probing site to facilitate CBCT localization. All measurements were repeated three times by calibrated examiners. Paired comparisons were performed to evaluate differences between the two methods, and measurement agreement was assessed by examining the distribution of C–B differences. Mean gingival thickness measured by AE-CBCT (1.81 ± 0.42 mm) closely approximated that obtained by transgingival probing (1.85 ± 0.42 mm), with no statistically significant difference between methods. Most AE-CBCT measurements differed from probing by less than ± 0.1 mm, and nearly all values were within ± 0.2 mm. AE-CBCT images demonstrated clearer soft-tissue boundary definition than conventional CBCT scans, reflecting improved soft-tissue visualization. As a small pilot investigation conducted in a limited population, this preliminary study suggests that AE-CBCT demonstrated measurement accuracy closely approximating that of transgingival probing, while avoiding invasiveness and enhancing soft-tissue visibility. The technique shows promise as a non-invasive adjunct for gingival phenotype assessment. Larger, adequately powered studies are required to validate clinical applicability.
Wen et al. (Thu,) studied this question.