Aim: To assess and compare the facial gingival biotype of maxillary anterior teeth using visual and direct methods. Materials and methods: 100 systemically healthy subjects aged 20-40 years were included in the study. Two methods were used to evaluate thickness of the gingiva: visual method by periodontal probe and direct method with endodontic reamer (size 20) under local anesthesia. The gingival biotype was considered thin if it measured ≤ 1.0 mm and thick if it measured > 1.0 mm. Results of the study were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Thick biotype was found to be in older aged subjects as compared to younger ones. Females showed thin gingival biotype as compared to males. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between biotype and age. Males had thicker gingival biotype compared to females. Hence we concluded that measurements from visual method by periodontal probe and direct method by endodontic reamer was comparable.
