Long-term changes in gingival recessions and their impact on oral health-related quality of life in patients under supportive periodontal therapy: a bidirectional cohort study.

To evaluate changes in gingival recessions (GR) in periodontitis patients over ten years of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and to assess the impact of GR on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Fifty-one patients with over ten years of SPT were followed up (V1) with complete periodontal status including periodontal probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) at 6 sites/tooth, oral hygiene indices, and recession status. Patient anamnesis, oral hygiene habits, and orthodontic history were assessed. Data were compared with records from 10-11.5 years prior (V0). GR changes were analyzed at patient level, and for all teeth with deep GR ≥3mm at tooth and site level (mid-buccal site). OHRQoL was assessed at V1 (OHIP-G14 questionnaire). Possible risk factors for GR progression and the associations between the number of deep GR and OHRQoL were tested (linear mixed-effects models, linear regression). The analysis included 45 patients (stage III/IV periodontitis). Patients retained most teeth (V0: 23.87±4.38; V1: 22.53±4.78), with stable mean overall PPD (V0: 2.34±0.35mm; V1: 2.39±0.26mm) and CAL (V0: 3.56±0.94mm; V1: 3.56±0.89mm). Teeth with deep GR showed overall only minimal mean GR progression (0.16±0.97 mm). The mean increase at the mid-buccal sites was 0.66±1.58mm. 10% of patients had >1mm GR progression at the mid-buccal site. Molars showed less GR progression than anterior teeth. The number of deep GR did not significantly impact OHRQoL. Periodontitis patients on regular SPT showed high periodontal stability with minimal GR progression. The number of deep GR was not associated with OHRQoL.