Gum recession in adults with and without prior orthodontic treatment

Gingival Recessions in Orthodontically Treated and Untreated Adult Patients: a Prospective Study

Observational Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · NCT07445555

We will test which patient and tooth factors increase the chance of gum recession in adults who have or have not had orthodontic treatment.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Leuven)
Trial IDNCT07445555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will record clinical, demographic, periodontal, occlusal, and orthodontic-history parameters in adult patients with and without prior orthodontic treatment to identify features linked to gingival recession. Treated and untreated groups will be compared and site- and patient-level variables such as gingival phenotype, tooth position, brushing trauma, smoking, and frenal attachment will be analyzed. Patients with active periodontal disease, certain medications, prior radio- or chemotherapy, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or agenesis of lower incisors are excluded. The ultimate aim is to produce a practical clinical guideline to estimate the risk of developing post-orthodontic gingival recession.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older, classified ASA I–II, with or without previous orthodontic treatment and without periodontal disease or excluded medications are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients with active periodontal disease, those taking excluded medications, people with prior radio/chemotherapy, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those with agenesis of lower incisors are excluded and would not benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could better predict who is likely to develop gum recession after orthodontic care and offer tailored prevention or treatment planning.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational reports have suggested associations between orthodontic treatment and gingival recession but results are inconsistent, so this approach builds on suggestive but not definitive prior findings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with or without previous history of orthodontic treatment with and without gingival recessions
* ≥ 18 years old
* American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification I or II

Exclusion criteria:

* Patients with history of periodontal disease
* taking the following medication: anticoagulants, phenytoin, cyclosporine, nifedipine or calcium channel blockers
* Patients with prior history of radio or chemotherapy
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
* Patients with agenesis of one or more lower incisors

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with history of periodontal disease Patients taking the following medication: anticoagulants, phenytoin, cyclosporine, nifedipine or calcium channel blockers Patients with prior history of radio or chemotherapy Pregnant or breastfeeding patients Patients with agenesis of one or more lower incisors

Where this trial is running

Leuven

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Gingival RecessionOrthodontic Treatmentgingival recessionorthodontic treatmentgingival phenotypeocclusal factors
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.