Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of free and attached gingiva, alveolar mucosa and alveolar bone by the ultrasonic wave system.
Ten subjects with the healthy gingiva and alveolar mucosa were used in this study. The 18 points of the facial side on the maxillary anterior region of each subject were measured with ultrasonic wave. The thickness of alveolar bone was also measured in 3 subjects with periodontitis.
The results were as follows.
1. The free gingival thickness averaged 0.93mm±0.17, attached gingival thickness averaged 1.03mm±0.19 and alveolar mucosal thickness averaged 0.88mm±0.18.
2. The statistically significant correlation was found between the free gingival thickness and the attached gingival thickness, between the attached gingival thickness and the alveolar mucosal thickness.
3. The free and attached gingiva on the central incisors showed the highest thickness.
4. The thickness of alveolar mucosa on the lateral incisors were the highest.
5. The thichness of alveolar bone on the anterior teeth varied between 0.55mm to 1.0mm.
