Gingival changes after removal of fixed orthodontic appliances: a prospective cohort clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of orthodontic brackets can compromise the efficiency of oral hygiene, leading to changes in oral microbiota, increasing the risk of gingival changes after removal of the fixed orthodontic appliance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in gingival volume in the lower anterior teeth after removal of the fixed orthodontic appliance. METHODS: The sample consisted of 84 lower anterior teeth of 14 adult individuals in the final phase of fixed orthodontic treatment and had the gingival condition of their lower incisors recorded through photographs. The evaluation times were from T0 to T4. At T0, the individuals underwent removal of dental calculus and prophylaxis with a sodium bicarbonate jet, installation of a fixed retainer, digital periapical radiography of the anteroinferior teeth and extraoral frontal photograph to record the gingival condition. At T1, the appliance was removed and the gingival biotype was determined. Other photographic exams were performed at times T2, T3 and T4. RESULTS: Clinical incisor crown values showed a significant increase 21 days after orthodontic appliance removal. The height of the papilla between the incisors showed a significant reduction on the 14th day after removal of the appliance, while the papilla between the canine and the lateral incisor showed significance only in the last evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The sample showed a predominance of thin gingival biotype, the radiographic variables showed no significant correlation. There were gingival changes in the anteroinferior region, with spontaneous and progressive reduction of all analyzed papillae.