Gingival health in individuals receiving retention orthodontic therapy

Introduction: The orthodontic retention devices can contribute to a worsening of the gingival and periodontal health, and in these individuals, there is a chance that the existing gingivitis could evolve into peridontitis.
Aim: The main aim of this study was to assess the alterations in gingival health that are present among patients receiving treatment with fixed and mobile retainers, in corelation with bioactive splints in post-orthodontic (retention) period.
Material and methods: To accomplish the defined aim, a comparative clinical trial was carried out at the PHI "Pi Dental" in Skopje, involving 30 subjects after fixed orthodontic treatment. In this study three groups were evaluated: (1)10 subjects where post-orthodontic treatment was with bioactive splints; (2)10 subjects treated with mobile retainers; and (3)10 subjects treated with fixed retainers. For each subject, (1)Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI); (2)Gingival Index of Silness-Loe(GI) and (3)Evaluation of gingival enlargement using the index by McGaw et al, were assessed. The indices were evaluated at three distinct time points: immediately after the retention appliance was placed, and at one and three months thereafter.
Results: It was found that a statistically significant difference existed exclusively between the average values of SBI in patients treated with bioactive splints and those with fixed retainers three months after the treatment. Also, it was found that a statistically significant difference existed exclusively between the average values of GI in patients treated with bioactive splints and those with fixed retainers three months after the treatment. After conducting the comparative analysis, it was found that a statistically significant difference existed exclusively between the average values of Gingival enlargement index in patients treated with bioactive splints and with fixed retainers three months after the treatment.
Conclusion: The research indicates that gingival inflammation tends to increase in patients undergoing retention therapy with fixed retainers, as opposed to those receiving retention therapy with mobile appliances, especially in cases involving bioactive appliances.