TITLE:
Correlation between Clinical Methods and CBCT Cone-Beam Tomography in Periodontal Biotype Determination: Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Meriem Ouled Bouallala, Khadija Amine, Samia Belfellah, Jamila Kissa
KEYWORDS:
Gingival Phenotype, Cone Beam CT, Alveolar Bone Loss, Systematic Review
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
14,
2026
ABSTRACT: Purpose: This systematic review aims to analyze the correlation between traditional clinical methods and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in determining the periodontal biotype. Materials AND Methods: An electronic search was conducted to identify clinical observational and comparative studies comparing CBCT with conventional clinical techniques for assessing gingival and bone thickness. The study followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool. Results: A total of 11 cross-sectional studies, including 540 patients, were analyzed. The findings revealed a significant increase in gingival thickness and underlying alveolar bone thickness in individuals with a thick periodontal phenotype. Clinical assessment of soft tissue thickness can be easily performed using a periodontal probe by evaluating the transparency of the probe’s contour through the gingival sulcus or via transgingival probing with an endodontic K-file under anesthesia. This correlation provides valuable insights during initial examinations, particularly for procedures that may impact periodontal structures, such as immediate implant placement and orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that CBCT is a useful adjunctive tool for assessing gingival and alveolar bone thickness and characterizing the periodontal phenotype. However, the current evidence is mainly derived from heterogeneous observational studies, and further prospective investigations are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding its superiority over conventional clinical methods.