Periodontal conditions in patients after molar uprighting

Fifteen patients who had mandibular molars uprighted unilaterally and seven patients who had mandibular molars uprighted bilaterally were examined an average of 3 1/2 years after treatment had been completed. The investigation focused on differences in clinical observations between the treated teeth and the controls on the contralateral side at the time of the recall examination. Pretreatment radiographs provided longitudinal observations. After elimination of significant but unrelated factors, including surgical pocket elimination and the presence or absence of subgingival margins, the following appeared. Changes in alveolar bone height mesial to the uprighted molars were not different from changes mesial to control teeth. Gingival inflammation scores around uprighted molars were not different from those around control teeth. Pockets mesial to uprighted molars were shallower than those mesial to control teeth. Observations on pocket depth distal to the teeth considered were inconclusive.