Interleukin-1 gene cluster polymorphisms and gingival recessions after orthodontic treatment.

Introduction: Genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 gene cluster have been associated with the severity of periodontal diseases featured by a variable degree of destruction of connective tissue and bone, such as periodontitis and periimplantitis. This study was aimed to investigate if a link exists between such interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms and the development of gingival recessions during orthodontic treatment in Italian children.

Methods: We evaluated, in 74 young Italian patients of both sexes, the -889 C/T polymorphism of the interleukin-1alpha gene and the -511 C/T and +3954 C/T polymorphisms of interleukin-1alpha gene by polymerase chain reactions-restriction fragment length polymorphism method using NcoI, AvaI and TaqI as restriction enzymes.

Results: No association of interleukin-1 genotypes investigated and gingival recession occurring during orthodontic treatment were identified.

Conclusion: In the population studied specific interleukin-1 genotypes (linked to a higher susceptibility to bone resorption in periodontal disease) there does not appear to be any association with the development of gingival recessions during orthodontic treatment.