Lower incisor inclination and thickness of the alveolar process and mandibular symphysis in the development of gingival recession: A retrospective cohort study

Retrospective studies have found conflicting results regarding the relationship between lower incisor inclination and the development of gingival recession (GR) after orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lower incisor inclination and alveolar process (AP) and mandibular symphysis (MS) thickness in the development of GR. Frontal intraoral photography and cephalometric radiography were conducted before (T0) and after (T1) orthodontic treatment of 62 subjects. The presence of GR was considered when the cementoenamel junction was visible in the lower incisor on the frontal intraoral photograph.The circumstances for improvement, stability, and worsening of the gingival situation were based on the reduction, maintenance, and increase in the number of lower incisors with GR before and after treatment. To measure the incisor-mandibular plane angle (IMPA) andthe thickness of the AP and the MS were used the cephalometric radiographs. Men had a significantly thicker MS than women at T0 and T1 (p