[Orthodontic treatment of gingival recession: indications].

Gingival recession is a complex phenomenon. Root coverage results can be predictable regarding to the anatomy of the area. This includes the width of keratinized and attached gingiva, the buccolingual dimension of both soft tissue and alveolar bone, and the position and angulation of the teeth. If the tooth is out of the envelope of the alveolar process, with alveolar bone dehiscence and low thickness of the marginal soft tissue, the recession risk is important. Many techniques have been introduced to treat gingival recession. But lots of failures are linked to tooth position. An adequate orthodontic therapy, with controlled tooth movement, can improve periodontal tissues and thus improves the esthetical outcome. In some cases, orthodontic treatment is suggested to lead to an improved periodontal condition without pre-orthodontic gingival augmentation. © EDP Sciences, SFODF, 2011.