The occurrence of plaque and gingivitis and its relationship to tooth alignment within the dental arches.

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate whether and to what degree discrepancies in tooth alignment can influence plaque accumulation and gingival status, An intra‐individual study was performed on 30 children with unilateral malposition of upper lateral incisors (15 children) and lower second premolars (15 children). Corresponding contralateral teeth were used as controls. The meanage was 14.4 years. The degree of malalignment in individual cases was assessed using a new malposition index (MPI). Plaque and gingival condition were assessed according to Silness & Löe (1964) and Löe & Silness (1963), respectively.The test and control areas were compared with regard to plaque accumulation and gingival status. Correlation analysis was performed to test the connection between these two parameters and tooth malalignment. The frequency of visible plaque (P1I 2+ 3) and gingival bleeding (GI 2 + 3) was generally higher for the test areas compared with the control areas. A comparison between the test and control areas showed the difference in gingival bleeding to be significant and of similar magnitude as regards upper laterals and lower second premolars. The difference in visible plaque was less marked but still significant.The correlation analysis did not show any connection between the degree of plaque accumulation or gingival inflammation and the degree of tooth malalignment.The differences found between normal and malaligned teeth thus showed a difnite trend, namely: plaque and gingivitis were more widespread around malaligned upper lateral incisors and lower second premolars than around contralateral teeth well positioned within the dental arches. the degree of malalignment was of secondary importance.