Interdisciplinary Approaches by Polish Orthodontists, Periodontists, and Oral Surgeons to Soft Tissue Augmentation in Adult Patients: A Survey Study

Abstract

This study evaluates the preferences of dentists regarding the interdisciplinary treatment of patients with gingival recession (GR) and a thin periodontal phenotype, based on their specialization. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Polish dentists, between May and October 2022, using an online survey. The dentists were first asked to provide details regarding their specialization and the length of their professional career. In the second part of the survey, they responded to questions about the preferred timing of a consultation and soft tissue augmentation in patients who planned to undertake orthodontic treatment (OT). Moreover, factors undermining the decision-making process regarding soft tissue augmentation and the methods used for the evaluation of periodontal tissues were assessed. In total, 554 dentists completed the survey, among whom 328 were orthodontists and 226 were periodontists/oral surgeons. A third of the surveyed periodontists/oral surgeons (33%) reported that they receive referrals from orthodontists prior to OT and 39% of orthodontists indicated that they refer patients for soft tissue augmentation before commencing OT. The majority of periodontists/oral surgeons (51%) and the most significant proportion of orthodontists (45%) agreed that the ideal timing of soft tissue augmentation is dependent on each specific case. Both groups of surveyed dentists considered “planned tooth movement” as the most important factor in clinical decision-making. Among the periodontists/oral surgeons, the most popular methods to assess periodontal tissues were: 3D radiological examination, the visual method, and gingival transparency with the use of a periodontal probe. On the other hand, the surveyed orthodontists preferred the visual method, followed by 2D radiological examination, and then by 3D radiological examination. The majority of surveyed periodontists/oral surgeons and orthodontists agreed that the ideal timing of soft tissue augmentation in patients undertaking orthodontic treatment should be decided on a case-by-case basis, with planned tooth movement being the determining factor.