Periodontal Side Effect During Orthopedic Face Mask Therapy

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

• Face mask therapy is an orthodontic treatment used to correct skeletal Class III malocclusions in growing children.
• The therapy involves a face mask appliance exerting orthopedic force on the maxilla.
• Potential side effects, such as effects on dentition and periodontium, require monitoring.

Observation:

• A 7-year-old patient undergoing face mask therapy presented with significant gingival recession on tooth #41.
• Severe plaque accumulation was noted in the affected area.
• Initial interventions including oral hygiene instructions and motivation showed minimal improvement.

Findings:

• Gingival recession and plaque accumulation were associated with the use of a face mask appliance.
• Reducing the vertical chin pad extension of the face mask appliance led to decisive improvement in the gingival recession.
• The findings suggest mechanical pressure from the appliance is a key factor.

Implications:

• Dental professionals should be aware of the potential for gingival recession during face mask therapy.
• Appliance design and adjustment, specifically the chin pad extension, are critical for preventing or mitigating periodontal complications.
• Further research into optimizing face mask therapy to minimize adverse effects is warranted.