Are colored periodontal probes reliable to classify the gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness?

Background: This cross-sectional study assessed the potential of colored periodontal probes (CPP) to classify gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness (GT).

Methods: Buccal GT in three anterior teeth in each of 50 patients was measured by transgingival sounding and classified by three different methods by eight examiners. Specifically, the diagnostic potential of visual judgment and transparency of a standard periodontal probe (SPP) to discriminate thin and thick gingiva, and of CPP to discriminate thin, medium, thick, or very thick gingiva was assessed.