UNLABELLED: PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications that occurred in the mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors during a 3-year post-operative period. METHODS: The mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors of patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) was measured by using a periodontal probe, both in the pre-operative period and in the 2-, 6-, 24-, and 36-month post-operative period. The results were submitted for statistical analysis by using ANOVA and Tukey's test with level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: The mesial gingival sulcus depths were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the comparison between the pre-operative and both the 2- and 6-month post-operative periods, between the 2- and 24-month post-operative periods, and between the 2- and 36-month periods. CONCLUSION: The gingival sulcus depths increased during the initial post-operative periods. The SAME procedure increased the gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors.
UNLABELLED: PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications that occurred in the mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors during a 3-year post-operative period. METHODS: The mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors of patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) was measured by using a periodontal probe, both in the pre-operative period and in the 2-, 6-, 24-, and 36-month post-operative period. The results were submitted for statistical analysis by using ANOVA and Tukey's test with level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: The mesial gingival sulcus depths were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the comparison between the pre-operative and both the 2- and 6-month post-operative periods, between the 2- and 24-month post-operative periods, and between the 2- and 36-month periods. CONCLUSION: The gingival sulcus depths increased during the initial post-operative periods. The SAME procedure increased the gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors.