title: Guided bone regeneration of a pronounced gingivo-alveolar cleft due to orthodontic space closure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gingival invagination is a relatively common occurrence following orthodontic closure of extraction sites. The present paper reports a combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment in a patient with a severe gingivo-alveolar cleft due to orthodontic closure of maxillary central incisor extraction space.
  
  
  METHODS
  A definite interdental gingival cleft, extending 8 mm into the alveolar bone, required the correction of the gingival deformity as a first step, followed by guided bone regeneration (GBR). The GBR approach included the emptying of the incisive foramen to approximately 5 mm in depth followed by the insertion of bioabsorbable hydroxyapatite and covering with a bioabsorbable barrier membrane. Six months afterward, the orthodontic therapy was resumed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographs and clinical examination 4 years after the completion of therapy indicates functionally and aesthetically satisfactory and stable results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present paper illustrates an additional application for the guided bone regeneration technique.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Periodontics, School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Letícia B
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Teresa Cristina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Eduardo J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Feres-Filho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019516:Orthodontic Space Closure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome