Orthodontic treatment of periodontal defects. A systematic review.

Several studies have been published focusing on the possibility to treat patients affected by periodontal defects by means of orthodontic treatment. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of the orthodontic treatment applied to the therapy of infraosseous defects, gingival recessions, and furcation lesions. To establish an appropriate search strategy, the PICO assessment worksheet was used. Only Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews were selected for this review. The electronic search (from January 1966 to January 2008) and the hand search (from January 1988 to January 2008) were conducted by three independent reviewers. There were no language restriction. No Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews were identified during the investigated period and therefore it was not possible to perform meta-analysis. It appears important to encourage the researchers to produce Randomized Controlled clinical Trials aimed to investigate the efficacy of the orthodontic treatment, alone or in combination with the periodontal therapy, for the resolution of periodontal defects.