• The keratinized gingiva includes the free and the attached gingiva and extends from the gingival margin to the mucogingival junction.

• It is generally believed that an adequate width of keratinized gingiva is important for maintaining gingival health.

• The facial keratinized gingiva was widest in the area of upper and lower incisors and narrowest adjacent to the maxillary and mandibular canines and first premolars.

• The lingual gingiva of the lower jaw exhibited its greatest width in the area of the premolars and molars. The incisors showed the narrowest In the lingual gingiva.

• In the maxilla, the facial gingiva was generally 0.5 – 1 mm wider than in the mandible.

• Most with 2.0 mm or more keratinized gingiva were clinically healthy.

• Result: The smallest width was usually seen in the area of the anterior teeth, and the widest gingiva was found adjacent to premolars and molars.

• The regions which consistently showed the narrowest width of keratinized gingiva were the lingual surface of the lower anterior and the buccal surface of the lower canines and first premolars.

Summary :

It is suggested that 2 mm of keratinized gingiva (corresponding to 1 mm attached gingiva in this material) is adequate to maintain gingival health.