Gingival recession: Etiology and risk evaluation for development during orthodontic treatment.

Gingival recession is a frequent clinical finding in the general population. Its prevalence is even higher in orthodontic patients. Its development is associated with anatomical, inflammatory and traumatic factors. Surgical periodontal techniques used for the treatment of gingival recessions seem to offer good results with a high degree of predictability. This article aims at elucidating various factors that the orthodontist must evaluate before the initiation of orthodontic treatment, concerning: (a) relative risks for the development of gingival recession, and (b) the need for periodontal therapeutic intervention in orthodontic patients either before, during or after the orthodontic treatment.