Orthodontics for the adult periodontal patient: first or second choice treatment?

In adult periodontal patients, pathologic tooth migration can create serious functional and aesthetic problems. In such situations, a combined orthodontic and periodontal treatment is indicated. Key point for obtaining positive outcomes is a status of periodontal health prior and during the orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic therapy has been shown to be a reliable therapy for restoring compromised dentitions, for closing infrabony defects, for reducing gingival recessions and improve interdental papilla levels. Based on these evidences, orthodontics can be considered as a first choice for the treatment of periodontal patients with tooth migration.