Gingival response to mandibular incisor intrusion

Introduction: The aims of the study were to evaluate the rate of accompanying gingival movement and the changes in attached and keratinized gingivae after orthodontic intrusion of mandibular incisors. Methods: The study was carried out with 16 subjects whose mandibular incisors were orthodontically intruded for the correction of overbite. The orthodontic intrusion was performed with the segmented utility arch technique. Periodontal indexes and the widths of attached and keratinized gingivae were recorded before and after treatment. The gingival movement in relation to orthodontic intrusion was determined by means of radioopacity with a specially designed metal device indicating the position of the gingival margin and the mucogingival junction on the cephalograms taken before treatment and after intrusion. Results: There were no statistically significant changes in the width of attached and keratinized gingivae after treatment (P >.05). The gingival margin and the mucogingival junction moved in the same direction as the teeth by 79% and 62%, respectively. A statistically significant decrease of the clinical crown length was also observed (P <.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that orthodontic intrusion does not lead to significant changes in the width of attached and keratinized gingivae when adequate plaque control is maintained. The gingiva moves in the same direction with the tooth, yet considerably less. This might indicate the need for follow-up or gingival correction after intrusion therapy.