Background and aim: Periodontal health is a critical factor in the development of gingival recession, which may be influenced by orthodontic treatment and various patient-related factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gingival recession observed during the retention phase after orthodontic treatment and the contributing etiological factors. Materials and methods: A total of 96 patients (65 females, 31 males; mean age 20.39 ± 2.21 years) were included in the study during routine follow-up examinations in the retention phase, at least six months after the completion of non-extraction fixed orthodontic treatment and their sociodemographic data, oral hygiene habits, and clinical periodontal measurements were evaluated. The relationships between dentoalveolar cephalometric measurements obtained from lateral cephalograms and gingival recession and gingival phenotype were evaluated. The normality of the data was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests were applied for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors. Statistical significance was considered as p < 0.05. Results: Gingival recession was found to be more prevalent in thin gingival phenotypes compared to thick phenotypes and was observed to be more pronounced when bleeding on probing was 30% and higher (p < 0.05). It was observed that gingival recession increased with age (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between gingival recession and other periodontal clinical measurements, sociodemographic data, and oral hygiene habits (p > 0.05). No statistically significant relationship was observed between lower incisor protrusion and gingival recession (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that (i) gingival phenotype, bleeding percentage on probing, and age had a considerable effect on gingival recession, whereas orthodontic tooth movement had no significant effect, and (ii) after orthodontic treatment, despite the achievement of a well-aligned teeth and dental arch, the frequency of periodontal check-ups should be increased to reduce the risk of gingival recession. Clinical relavance: Orthodontic treatment, consider periodontal conditions related to gingival recession, like thin phenotype and bleeding on probing.

Objectives: This study used fractal dimension (FD) analysis to evaluate alveolar trabecular changes associated with gingival recessions in the mandibular incisor-canine and premolar regions in the post-orthodontic retention period, compare them to non-recession regions, and assess their correlation with plaque (PI) and gingival indices (GIs). Methods: This cross-sectional case–control study included 60 patients with mandibular gingival recession (35 females, 25 males; mean age: 21.91 ± 2.59 years), with apical trabecular bone regions of interest (ROIs) identified in the incisor-canine and premolar regions. Patients were divided into four groups based on the regions of recession, with non-recessional regions in the contralateral quadrant considered as control regions. FD analysis was performed on the specified ROIs using panoramic radiographs taken before treatment (T0), after treatment (T1), and in the retention period (T2). Patients’ PI and GI scores and incisor-mandibular plane angles (IMPAs) were recorded. Results: The FD values significantly decreased in Groups 1 and 2 (left and right incisor-canine regions) (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were found in Groups 3 and 4 (left and right premolar regions) and the control group. The FD values showed a significant correlation with the PI and GI scores (p < 0.05), but no correlation was found with IMPAs (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Alterations in alveolar trabeculation in gingival recession can be assessed by FD analysis. Decreased FD values correlate with worsening oral hygiene and higher PI and GI scores. Changes in the IMPA do not correlate with changes in FD, highlighting the importance of regular periodontal check-ups after orthodontic treatment.

Objectives: Healing of the palatal donor site and patient comfort after free gingival grafting are a challenge for clinicians. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of concentrated growth factor (CGF) and gelatin sponge on palatal wound healing and patient comfort following free gingival graft harvesting. Materials and methods: Data were collected from 33 patients who underwent palatal wound management with CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge after free gingival graft harvesting. Epithelialization of the wound was assessed using the H₂O₂ test, while pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Both evaluations were performed on the 3rd postoperative day and at weekly intervals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks). Analgesic consumption was recorded in three periods: T1 (days 1–3), T2 (days 3–7), and T3 (days 7–14). Results: VAS pain scores did not differ significantly between the groups at any time point, though control group scores were higher on day 3. All patients had complete epithelialization by week 4, with the test group showing faster epithelialization at weeks 2 and 3 (not statistically significant). The control group required significantly more analgesic tablets than the test group on postoperative day 3 and throughout the healing period. Conclusions: Palatal wound healing, pain perception, and analgesic consumption were comparable between CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge dressings.

To evaluate the effect of prismatic dental loupes on clinician posture during periodontal treatment performed by periodontology assistants. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a counterbalanced crossover design. Ten periodontology assistants performed supragingival scaling on two different patients; once with and once without loupes. Posture was assessed using Branson’s Posture Assessment Instrument (BPAI) through photographic evaluation at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes of treatment. BPAI scores were compared between the two conditions, and correlations among posture components were analyzed. The use of loupes significantly improved overall posture, with lower total BPAI scores in the loupe condition. Significant improvements were observed in the hip, trunk, head/neck, and shoulder regions, while wrist posture did not differ significantly. A strong positive correlation was found between total BPAI and head/neck scores, indicating the influence of head/neck alignment on overall posture. Magnification loupes contribute to improved clinician posture, especially in the head/neck region, which strongly correlated with overall posture. The observed interdependence among body regions supports the need for holistic posture assessment. These findings highlight the ergonomic benefits of loupes in reducing musculoskeletal risks in dental practice. Incorporating magnification loupes into clinical practice may improve operator posture and contribute to long-term occupational health among dental professionals.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to provide patient-oriented oral health information; however, their

Background/Objectives: Gingival phenotype is considered an important factor influencing periodontal tissue response during orthodontic treatment; however, the association between orthodontic treatment history and gingival phenotype remains unclear. This study aimed to compare gingival phenotype between orthodontically treated individuals and untreated controls and to evaluate the factors associated with gingival phenotype, including periodontal status and oral hygiene habits. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 180 individuals aged 18–35 years, who were divided into two groups according to orthodontic treatment history (history of orthodontic treatment, n = 90; untreated controls, n = 90). Gingival phenotype was assessed using the transparency method at the mid-buccal aspect of the mandibular central incisor. Periodontal parameters, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing depth (PD), and keratinized gingival width (KGW), were recorded. Oral hygiene habits and behavioral factors were also evaluated. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with gingival phenotype. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant association was found between orthodontic treatment and gingival phenotype (p > 0.05). Periodontal parameters were comparable between groups; however, orthodontically treated individuals demonstrated significantly better oral hygiene habits (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR = 6.54, p < 0.001) and increased KGW (OR = 1.668, p = 0.003) were independently associated with a thick gingival phenotype. Conclusions: The findings indicate that gingival phenotype appeared to be more strongly associated with intrinsic anatomical factors, particularly sex and KGW, rather than orthodontic treatment. It was concluded that individualized assessment of gingival phenotype and controlled orthodontic tooth movement may contribute to periodontal preservation.