Palatogingival groove: Prevalence, characteristics and implications in a cross-sectional study in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil

Aim: Palatogingival groove (PGG) is a morphological defect that usually affects maxillary incisors and may be related to periodontal and endodontic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical implications of the PGG in a Brazilian population. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample with 169 consecutive participants was evaluated in a cross-sectional study from September 2021 to May 2022. Upper anterior teeth were evaluated by a single examiner considering the presence of PGG, its characteristics and the presence of caries, periodontal and endodontic disease. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied and P value was set at 5%. Results: PGG prevalence was 21.67% in individuals and 5.9% in teeth. A logistic regression did not reveal significant differences between sex [female: odds radio (OR) 1 and male: OR 0.53] and race (white: OR 1; black: OR 0.81; brown: OR 0.70). The highest prevalence was found in the upper lateral incisors (68.6%), in the cingulum (80.39%), with greater occurrence in the mid-palatal face of the tooth (39.21%). A high prevalence of bleeding on probing (83.8%) and caries (37.8%) was found in teeth with PGG, but no pulp alterations were found. Conclusions: PGG prevalence is high when the number of individuals is considered, and the tooth more frequently affected by PGG is the upper lateral incisor, with greater occurrence in the mid-palatal and cingulum face. In addition to incisors, canines also can be affected by PGG. Teeth with PGG may present high rates of biofilm accumulation, periodontal inflammation, and caries.