State of Gums in Children with Orthodontic Pathology

Abstract

The purpose of the study was an index assessment of the state of the gums in children in whom fixed equipment was used for the treatment of orthodontic pathology. Materials and methods. 89 children aged 14 to 17 years old with a fully formed permanent occlusion were examined. Group 1 included 31 children (34.8% of the total number) with occlusion pathology; group 2 – 36 children (40.4%) with occlusion pathology in combination with crowding of teeth; children of these groups were treated with the use of fixed orthodontic equipment; group 3 consisted of 22 children (24.7%) without orthodontic pathology. Rational oral hygiene was taught to all children. The assessment of the state of the gums was carried out according to the papillary-marginal-alveolar index in the modifications of M. Masser (1948) and C. Parma (1960) in points and percentages, and in accordance with the papillary bleeding index by U. Saxer and H. Műhlemann (1975). The initial index values were determined after 1 and 3 months. Results and discussion. In children of group 1, the papillary-marginal-alveolar index increased significantly from the initial values of 0.47 ± 0.03 points and 15.81 ± 1.09% (р˂0.05) to 0.80 ± 0.05 points and 26.77 ± 1.62% within 1 month and further decreased insignificantly (р˃0.05) to 0.73 ± 0.03 points and 24.19 ± 1.10% within 3 months. In the same period, the same dynamics was established in children of group 2, the corresponding indicators were 0.76 ± 0.03 points and 25.49 ± 1.11%; 1.18 ± 0.03 points and 39.31 ± 0.93% and 1.11 ± 0.04 points and 36.96 ± 1.32%. Children of group 3 had different dynamics with a gradual decrease in values – 0.31 ± 0.03 points and 10.30 ± 1.14%; 0.22 ± 0.02 points and 7.42 ± 0.66% and 0.20 ± 0.02 points and 6.52 ± 0.81%. Bleeding gums according to the papillary bleeding index in children of group 1 in the corresponding periods first increased significantly (р˂0.05) from 0.53 ± 0.03 points to 1.12 ± 0.04 points, then decreased significantly (р˂0.05) to 0.89 ± 0.03 points. In children of group 2, the indicators were significantly (р˂0.05) the highest in all terms with the same dynamics – 0.84 ± 0.03 points; 1.26 ± 0.03 points and 1.09 ± 0.03 points, respectively. A gradual and unreliable (р˃0.05) decrease in indicators from 0.25 ± 0.04 points to 0.24 ± 0.03 points and 0.19 ± 0.03 points was registered in the children of group 3. Conclusion. In the presence of occlusion pathology in children, as well as such pathology in combination with crowding of teeth during orthodontic treatment with the use of fixed equipment, the papillary-marginal-alveolar and papillary bleeding indices during one and three months of treatment increase significantly (р˂0.05) in comparison with the initial level, which can be justified by the aggravating effect of fixed orthodontic equipment and deterioration of the hygienic condition of the oral cavity in these children associated with it