The absence of proximal contact point on periodontal parameters of teeth moved into extraction sites

The aim of study was to evaluate periodontal conditions of upper canines and second premolars with and without proximal contact of individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment associated to extractions of the upper first premolars. The study selected upper canines and premolars of individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment without extractions (30 hemiarches - control group), or with extraction of the upper first premolars and whose canines and second premolars had interproximal contact (16 hemiarches - group 1) or diastema (17 hemiarches - group 2). Clinical (plaque index, probing depth, gingival bleeding index, height of the gingival margin, clinical attachment loss and gingival clefts) and radiographic (crest height, bone height and bone-crest discrepancy) parameters of the distal surfaces of canines and mesial surfaces of premolars were evaluated. Group 1 had worse results when compared to the control group for the levels of plaque in canines and premolars and for probing depth in canines (distal and mean) and in premolars (lingual and mean), as well as increasing tendency of clinical attachment loss (lingual and mean) in premolars. Plaque level in canines in group 1 was also significantly higher than in group 2. There was no difference between group 2 and the control group. The lack of proximal contact between canines and second premolars did not significantly affect their periodontal characteristics.