Assessment of attached gingiva using the tension test and clinical measurements.

The attached gingiva on the facial surface of the mandibular central incisors was evaluated by measurements and the "tension test" on 226 subjects between the ages of 8 and 22 years. Findings of significance were: 1. As age increased a definite increase in width of attached gingiva occurred. 2. There was no increase in the frequency of a positive tension test in older age groups. 3. No relationship was observed when results of the tension test were compared with clinical measurements of attached gingiva.