Hard tissue augmentation to minimize a risk of buccal gingival recession in lower anterior teeth associated with orthodontic treatment: case report

Abstract

Patients with malocclusion may present with preexisting mucogingival problems susceptible to attachment loss during or after orthodontic treatment. Lower anterior teeth especially show a high prevalence of gingival recession following orthodontic treatment. This case report demonstrates hard tissue augmentation of labially thin or deficient alveolar bone (dehiscences and fenestrations) to prevent attachment loss during or after orthodontic treatment. Three patients presented clinically prominent root surfaces and dehiscences and fenestrations on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in lower anterior teeth. Labial hard tissue augmentation of lower anterior teeth was performed with deproteinized bovine bone mineral and collagen membrane. Six months later, hard tissue augmentation reduced root prominence and created a greater volume of hard tissue on lower anterior area in clinical and radiographic findings. Hard tissue augmentation using xenograft could prevent attachment loss associated with orthodontic treatment and maintain stability of healthy periodontium.