A new Perspective in Demonstrating the Etiological Factors of Gingival Recession

Abstract

Gingival recession is defined as “ the apical displacement of the marginal soft tissues (mucogingival complex) beyond the cemento-enamel junction”. Although several classification systems have been proposed to differentiate the clinical manifestations of gingival recession, no consensus is yet available regarding how to classify the causative factors that lead to gingival recession. In this paper, we introduce a new categorization system regarding the causation of gingival recession. The new system demonstrates the following categories as causative factors for gingival recession: Periodontal diseases, Anatomical factors, Minor traumatic factors, Major traumatic factors, and Shared factors. We believe that the implementation of this new categorization system would make the diagnosis and treatment plan more easier for the practitioner, whether dentist or periodontist, due to our conviction that the first step in the treatment of gingival recession is to uncover the causative factor(s), and then remove it. The implementation of this new categorization system in the syllabus of undergraduates in dental schools would be a future aim.