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AAPD Journal Article Abstract

Author:	Enrique Bimstein, Eliezer Eidelman
Title:	Longitudinal Changes in the Width of Attached Gingiva in Children
Abstract:	The width of the attached gingiva of 54 children 12 to 14 years old was measured and compared with its width measured five years before. The width of the attached gingiva of 96 mandibular permanent central incisors at the second examination was grouped according to its width at the first examination. In addition, the width of the attached gingiva of 67 mandibular central incisors, at both examinations, was grouped according to the width of the attached gingiva of the mandibular primary molars at the first examination. Eighty-four percent of the incisors with less than 1 mm of attached gingiva at the first examination, showed an increase in width of the gingiva with time. A similar increase was evident in 30% of the incisors which had 1 mm or more of attached gingiva at the first examination; only 12% showed a decrease. No correlation was found between the width of the attached gingiva of the permanent incisors and that of the mandibular primary molars. These findings should be taken into consideration when mucogingival surgery in children is considered. (Pediatr Dent. 1988;10:22-24)