Incidence of Malocclusion among Young Patients with Gingival Recessions-A Cross-Sectional Observational Pilot Study

Background and Objectives: Dental occlusion and gingival recession have been studied over the past years especially because of the increasing incidence of occlusal interferences in young patients. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate any association between occlusal dysfunctions and gingival recessions. Data on gingival phenotype and previous orthodontic treatment were also collected to assess any correlation with the presence of gingival recession. Materials and Methods: Forty systemically healthy subjects, without signs of periodontitis and with gingival recessions, were included in the study. The following parameters were determined: location and extent of the gingival recession, gingival phenotype and functional occlusion by means of observing and registering the occlusal contacts in maximum intercuspation position, protrusive and lateral guidance. Results: Premolars were mostly affected in cases of working-side interferences during lateral guidance (71.19% of the affected teeth during left and 75% during right mandibular movements). The chi-squared exact test applied for the analysis of contingency tables revealed statistically significant associations between excursive interferences during lateral guidance and anterior guidance and the presence of gingival recession on the involved group of teeth. Conclusions: The results suggest that most gingival recessions might be associated with working-side interferences, the highest number of gingival recessions being associated with active interferences during lateral guidance.