Dimensional changes of the periosteum in different gingival biotypes at particular places of the mandible

Abstract

Background: Periosteum takes an important role in bone reparation and regeneration process. Clinically it is known, that the final outcome of bone regenerative treatment in the mandible depends largely on gingival biotype and localization of regenerated site. Therefore hypothesis occurs that properties of periosteum may vary depending on gingival biotype and localization in the mandible. Aim: To evaluate thickness of periosteum in different gingival biotypes at particular places of the mandible. Methods: During routine surgical procedures in the mandible, 3 mm in diameter specimens of mucoperiosteal flap were collected. For each patient two soft tissue samples from different places of mandibular alveolar process were taken. In total 28 biopsies in 14 patients were collected. Specimens of mucoperiosteal flap were stained with standard hematoxylin – eosin stain and investigated under light transmission microscope at 95, 910, 920, 940 magnification. Digital calibrated measurements were taken with Axio Vision Rel.4.8 program. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0 software package. Results: The thickness of collected mucoperiosteal flap samples varied from 1.65 to 3.6 mm. The determined thickness of periosteum was 0.219–0.291 mm. No significant relationship between periosteal thickness and gingival biotype was observed (P < 0.05). There was also no significant correlation of periosteal thickness and localization of collected samples in the mandible (P < 0.05). Conclusions and clinical implications: Mandibular periosteum quantitative analysis showed that periosteum is identical regardless of gingival biotype or localization in the mandible. It seems that properties of the whole mucoperiosteal complex are important for the final outcome of surgical procedures.