NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Gingival biotype is described as the thickness of the gingiva in the faciopalatal/ faciolingual dimension. It is one of the important parameters that influences the outcome of the periodontal procedures. The prognosis of orthodontic procedures, crown lengthening, gingival contouring and implant prosthesis significantly depend on the gingival biotype for its value added esthetics. Several factors that contribute to the gingival health include the dimension of the alveolar process, the morphology of the tooth structure, inclination and tooth position in the arch, presence of trauma and inflammation. Compromised gingival thickness acts as an aggravating factor for periodontal attachment loss and marginal tissue recession.

Ochsenbien and Ross (1969) described gingival biotype as scalloped and thin or flat and thick gingiva. A gingival thickness of ⩾2 mm was considered as a thick tissue biotype and a gingival thickness of <1.5 mm is referred to as thin tissue biotype. The thick gingival biotype due to its adequate vascularity enhances healing after regenerative procedures compared to thin biotype which might compromise it. Thick gingival tissues are more resistant to mucosal recession and mechanical irritation by maintaining its contours and marginal tissue integrity. Hence, a thick biotype is preferred over a thin biotype. A thin biotype can be treated by various modalities like soft tissue augmentation procedures such as subepithelial connective tissue grafting, acellular dermal matrix, injecting platelet rich fibrin. However, no single procedure has been identified as the gold standard till date.

Macro and micronutrients in the diet have been found to have a profound effect on periodontium in terms of healing, repair, altering the plaque formation, enhancing the tissue resistance and altering the oxidative stress in the tissues. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduce tissue inflammation by generating bioactive lipid mediators. Flax seeds (Linum Usitatisimum) are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, dietary fibre, high quality of proteins and anti-oxidants. In addition the antimicrobial properties of flax seeds have synergistic action by decreasing inflammation and bone loss. Further, omega-3 fatty acid have positive effect on wound healing exhibiting reduction in clinical attachment loss and pocket depth. Similarly  Vitamin C also has an essential role in collagen synthesis and immune function in addition to stimulation of periodontal progenitor cells. Therefore, it can be inferred that the benefits of intake of a collagen promoting diet include modifying thin tissue biotype into thick gingival biotype thereby increasing the resistance to infection or recession.

 An innovative and less invasive approach to increase gingival biotype is by microneedling or injecting injectable platelet rich fibrin (i-PRF) into the gingival tissues. Microneedling is often referred to as percutaneous collagen induction therapy. Micro injuries created on the gingiva result in release of various growth factors collagen, triggering fibroblast mediated repair thereby remodeling the tissues. Injectable platelet rich fibrin enables slow and sustained release of growth factors and have a positive influence in increasing gingival thickness by promoting collegen-1 synthesis. It accelerates the wound healing process with increased tissue vascularization. In periodontal procedures i-PRF was found to be effective in tissue and bone regeneration. Hence, i-PRF and micro needling are preferred as a nonsurgical periodontal treatment modality in modifying thin gingival biotype.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) which was previously known as Low level Laser therapy, improves soft tissue healing and has a wide range of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative properties. It causes neuropharmacological effects, resulting in either production or inhibition of several biochemical substances. In addition it also accelerates tissue re-epithelization by upregulating the collagen synthesis, angiogenesis and by releasing growth factors.¹² Photobiomodulation as an adjunct to microneedling can achieve faster and optimal wound healing.

However, literature that correlates the effect of diet or photobiomodulation on the improvement of gingival biotype is scanty. Hence, a comparative study is intended to assess the role of optimized diet in comparison to i-PRF and PBMT in improving the gingival thickness.