Maintenance of periodontal health during adult orthodontic treatment

In dental medicine, preventive measures combined with both classic and aesthetic orthodontics appliances resulted in an increase of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their appearance and social acceptance as well as function and oral health. Adult patients bring distinctive characteristics like tooth mobility and periodontal disease that might interfere with the treatment and call for a multidisciplinary approach. This observational study aimed to evaluate the degree of collaboration with periodontologists and the approach implemented by orthodontists in periodontal affected patients. Material and methods: A questionnaire was designed and electronically submitted to orthodontic specialists and postgraduates in orthodontics from Romania. The answers gathered were compared to current literature on the topic. Conclusion: An interdisciplinary treatment of orthodontic and periodontal therapies is effective for adult patients with periodontal disease as long as the periodontium is healthy, and hygiene well maintained throughout treatment with orthodontic appliances.