Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of inflammation on the color variable contents of the marginal gingiva and to analyze its relationship to capillary areas, from the standpoint of gingival transmission.
Transmissionof a clinically healthy marginal gingiva was examined using two black and white colored chips, and measuring the gingival color of the inflammed areas. Furthermore, the subepithelial capillaries were photographed with the oral biomicroscope.
Results showed inflammation to cause a decrease in lightness and hue b*variable, and an increase in chroma and hue a* variable. The color elements which showed a strong correlation to dE were in the order of da*, dL*, and db* respectively. This relationship was most evident among the high transmissional gingiva. In addition, the relationship of dE to increase in capillary area varied in accordance to gingival transmission.
In conclusion, a certain pattern among the color variables and elements which showed a high correlation to dE was observed. Furthermore, it can be concluded that gingival transmission is an important item in evaluating the effects of inflammation on the color variables of marginal gingiva.
