Longitudinal observation of "unattached," mobile gingival areas.

Facial gingival surfaces over cuspids and bicuspids in 20 patients were monitored for 5 years to evaluate the importance of attached gingiva in the maintenance of a stable periodontium. 43 surfaces "at risk" were compared to 36 "non-risk" surfaces within these patients. Surfaces "at risk" had to meet the following 3 criteria as established by both of 2 independent examiners: width of keratinized gingiva less than or equal to 1.0 mm; absence of attached gingiva; mobility of the gingival margin. During the 5 years of observation, "non-risk" surfaces showed a trend toward decrease in mean width of keratinized gingiva, while this measurement remained unchanged for the surfaces "at risk" Probing depths remained unaltered for both groups. A trend toward gingival recession and loss of probing attachment was observed for both "risk" and "non-risk" surfaces. Thus, this study failed to demonstrate that "unattached" and mobile facial gingival surfaces are more susceptible to periodontal breakdown than "attached" surfaces.