Gingival changes and secondary tooth eruption in adolescents and adults: a longitudinal retrospective study.

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate 8 years of vertical changes of the gingival margin and tooth displacement of maxillary molars and incisors in adolescents and adults.

Methods: Twenty-five adolescents and 10 adults were included in this study, with dental casts taken 2 and 10 years after orthodontic treatment. The gingival contour of the teeth was traced digitally using calibrated photographs of the 2 dental casts, and gingival changes were measured on crown superimposition.

Gingival and dentofacial changes in adolescents and adults 2 to 10 years after orthodontic treatment.

Background: Information about long-term changes of the shape of the gingival margin is missing.

Aim: To monitor 8 year changes of the gingival contour occurring in adolescents and adults and relate these changes to dentofacial growth.

Subjects And Method: Forty adolescents (mean age 16.