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Levin L, Samorodnitzky-Naveh GR et al. J Periodontol 2008; 79: 2087–2092

The primary aim of this study was to determine if postorthodontic fixed retainers, consisting of wire and composite, are associated with gingival recession. Periodontal measurements were recorded on 92 consecutive subjects who attended for a routine oral examination, 4.57 ± 2.2 years after orthodontic treatment. Regardless of whether or not fixed retainers were placed, patients who had received orthodontic treatment had significantly increased gingival recession when compared with those who had not received orthodontic treatment. Of those subjects who had postorthodontic retention, there was significantly greater probing depth, more plaque, increased bleeding on probing and increased lingual recession than those subjects that had received orthodontics but no fixed retention. However, although the authors state that the difference in recession was significant (for lingual recession 0.09 ± 0.18 mm v 0.01 ± 0.08 mm p = 0.005) it was clinically trivial.