2004 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 37-40
Observation of gingival color has been a popular area of dental research. However, it is difficult to analyze for other than the most basic conditions and colors. We introduce here a new alternative method that uses image analysis to measure gingival color. We examined 30 female students for this research. Digital images were acquired to compare the gingival color with a bite holder and a standard color scale. The images were input to a computer and the curves dialog box was used for color adjustment. It allows adjustment of the entire tonal range of an image. The system of digital capture and comparison of color images separates and analyzes three channels for the free and attached gingival surface images, and matches them with colorimetric scales. Analysis showed that the attached gingiva had a more vivid red and yellow compared with the free gingiva. We concluded that this system may be useful for demonstrating the diversity of gingival color as well as for analyzing gingival health. (J Osaka Dent Univ 2004; 38: 37-40.)
