Severe Localized Gingival Recession Developing During Pregnancy.

Introduction: Gingival recession typically develops over a long period of time. Development or progression of gingival recession in a short time and in the absence of acute trauma is exceedingly rare. The aim of this case report is to present a case of severe gingival recession developing in a systemically healthy patient during the last trimester of a routine pregnancy.

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman, successfully treated 3 years earlier for a localized gingival recession on tooth #24, compliant with home care and maintenance visits, discontinued maintenance during pregnancy. A localized 2-mm deep Miller Class I recession defect on tooth #26 was under follow-up and had been stable during maintenance. The patient presented at 2-months postpartum. She reported that she had noticed localized inflammation and progression of the recession on tooth #26 during the last gestational trimester; she denied any history of trauma. During examination, the recession on tooth #26 had progressed into a 6-mm deep Miller Class II defect. The defect was treated with a connective tissue graft procedure. At 14 months after surgery, the clinical outcome remained satisfactory and stable.

Conclusions: Rapid and severe localized gingival recession can occur during routine pregnancy. In light of the evidence indicating safety of routine periodontal care during pregnancy, pregnant females should be encouraged to continue their maintenance periodontal care to minimize the potential of irreversible sequelae from pregnancy-associated gingival inflammation.