biological width
The combined vertical dimension of the junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment above the alveolar bone crest, which must be respected in implant restoration design.
Full Definition
Biological width (also termed 'biologic width') is the physiological space occupied by the junctional epithelium (~0.97 mm) and the supracrestal connective tissue attachment (~1.07 mm) coronal to the alveolar bone. In implant dentistry, this concept informs the minimum distance that must be maintained between the restorative margin and the underlying bone to prevent chronic inflammation and bone loss. Violation of biological width—by placing a crown margin too deeply or selecting an abutment that is too short—leads to persistent peri-implant tissue destruction. Editors should ensure consistent hyphenation ('biological width', not 'biologic width', unless quoting a source directly). This term is distinct from the 'supracrestal tissue attachment', which is the updated terminology used in the 2017 World Workshop classification.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer 'biological width'; flag 'biologic width' as an acceptable variant where it appears in cited sources. Note that current literature increasingly uses 'supracrestal tissue attachment' as the preferred term — cross-reference appropriately.
In Context
- "The abutment height was increased from 1 mm to 2 mm to avoid encroachment on the biological width." — Prosthetic Design Specification
- "Violation of biological width was cited as the aetiology of the persistent soft-tissue inflammation around the implant crown." — Clinical Case Report