Prevalence of Gingival Recession and its Associated Etiologic Factors: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Gingival recession, sometimes called root exposure, is a rather common clinical finding in adults. During recent years, a growing concern about an increase in gingival recession has been expressed by a number of dental clinicians all over the world. Studies on the incidence, prevalence, etiology and treatment of gingival recession have been published by various authors from different countries. However, representative information about the occurrence and risk factors of gingival recession in Indian population is limited. Objective: To determine prevalence, extent, severity and associated etiological factors of gingival recession in a sample of dental patients. Materials and Method: 511 subjects of either sex, aged 15 years and above were selected randomly and examined. Demographic data, dental complaints, deleterious oral habits, oral hygiene habits and detailed intraoral examination was done. Prevalence of gingival recession, its correlation to demographic data and etiological factors were examined. Results: The prevalence of gingival recession in the present study was 89.04%.Prevalence increased with increasing age. Tooth powders, tobacco and ash as dentifrice, deleterious habits like smokeless tobacco, pan and/or betelnut chewing, frenum pull, poor oral hygiene and periodontitis contributed significantly in increasing the prevalence of gingival recession. Conclusion: A high prevalence of gingival recession exists in dental patients in India. Etiology of gingival recession appears to be multifactorial.