Optimising axial inclination with clear aligner orthodontic treatment to address recession defects: A case series.

This case series evaluates the effectiveness of optimizing axial inclination through clear aligner orthodontic treatment to address gingival recession defects in nine patients with 12 affected mandibular incisors. All patients had prior orthodontic treatment and fixed stainless-steel retainers, which were implicated in inadvertent torque discrepancies contributing to recession. Over an average treatment duration of 21.6 months, clear aligner therapy corrected root torque and tooth position, resulting in an average 58% reduction in recession depth and width, with four teeth requiring subsequent soft tissue grafting. The findings suggest that orthodontic correction of malalignment before periodontal surgery can improve gingival health and potentially reduce the need for invasive procedures, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing recession associated with fixed retainers.