We investigated the use of digital image analysis to objectively evaluate the condition of marginal gingiva. Digital images were taken of the gingiva of 25 subjects using a special CCD camera with various magnifications. The subjects had been requested not to brush for three days. Five parameters were analyzed: hue, lightness, saturation, three-dimensional image, and amount of microvasculature. We found that this apparatus could be useful for the objective evaluation of gingiva because changes could be expressed quantitatively.
