Orthodontic tooth movement may support periodontal health through adaptation of alveolar bone and gingival tissues but can also worsen periodontal health in presence of active periodontal disease or under unfavorable anatomical conditions. 

This lecture will cover the periodontic/orthodontic interrelation as regards periodontal osseous and soft tissue defects. Moreover, the influence of orthodontic skeletal anchorage in therapeutic decisions will be shortly addressed. 

The main part of the presentation will deal with four main questions on the influence of orthodontic treatment on the development of gingival recession: Does orthodontic tooth movement induce gingival recessions? Do orthodontically treated patients suffer in the long run more from gingival recessions compared to untreated individuals? Does prolonged fixed retention influence the development of gingival recessions? How can the periodontist assist in the prevention of development of gingival recessions? The understanding of the association between orthodontic tooth movement and development of gingival recessions is important because of the high number of children, teenagers and adults who are treated orthodontically.