Management of gingival recession in the orthodontic patient

Gingival recession (GR) is a common periodontal condition that affects a large portion of the young and adult population and negatively affects the esthetic aspects of the smile. It has been described as relatively complex in terms of its multifactorial cause, variable subjective outcomes, and continuously evolving treatment modalities, but it appears to present a simple objective manifestation that can be quite challenging to the orthodontist. The available options for treating the condition consist of a varied range of nonsurgical and surgical techniques, which lie mainly within the field of Periodontology but may include Orthodontics and the broader field of Restorative Dentistry. In addition, the high association of GR with periodontal disease progression would imply an understanding of the latter by the orthodontist would be required in order to effectively diagnose and treat the condition accordingly. Currently, cosmetic expectations have risen to such a level that they constitute a major factor for an orthodontist when planning treatment for patients in whom restoring function could outweigh esthetic harmony.