Periodontal relevance of anterior crowding.

The periodontal relevance of anterior and posterior crowding concerns 3 main aspects: 1. oral hygiene/plaque retention, 2. altered topography of gingiva, septum and orofacial alveolar bone and 3. periodontal therapy (scaling, root planing, regenerative approaches). These aspects are discussed with regard to the literature and to the author's own clinical and histological findings. Present-day knowledge suggests that the following positive periodontal effects can be expected from correction of orthodontic crowding: better access for oral hygiene, improved morphology of soft and hard periodontal tissues; future research has to substantiate the value of this benefit, simplified mechanical and surgical therapy (scaling, root planing, curettage), more favorable conditions for periodontal regeneration.