Objectives: To investigate the influence of root angulation on the occurrence of open gingival embrasure in orthodontically treated lower central incisors.
Methods: 20 patients (mean age=17years) who had completed the orthodontic treatment were examined. Presence of open gingival embrasure was examined at interdental papilla between lower central incisors. Post-orthodontic OPG were used to measure root angulation of the central incisors. A line representing a long axis of each lower incisor was drawn. The angle made up by two adjacent long axis of lower central incisors was measured as a root angulation. Independent t-test was used to compare mean difference of root angulation between group of open gingival embrasure and normal embrasure.
Results: 35% of patients who had orthodontic treatment had open gingival embrasure presence between lower central incisors. The mean root angulation in the group of normal gingival embrasure is 0.54°±7.62 which is slightly more convergent than group of open gingival embrasure (-0.42°±7.11). However, the mean difference between root angulation in open and normal gingival embrasure are not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: There is no significant difference in mean root angulation between open and normal gingival embrasure.