ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to compare the clinical outcomes of three different fixed lingual retainers, in terms of effects on periodontal health and success rate. Methods: Forty five patients aged 13 to 25 years were randomly assigned into three groups, using bonded upper and lower lingual retainers. The study groups were as follows: Group 1- Bond-A-Braid®, Group 2- everStick® ORTHO, Group 3- Super-Splint. The follow-up appointments were performed two weeks (Baseline=T0), one month (T1), three months (T2), and six months (T3) after the application of retainers. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), Bleeding in Probing (BOP) and Retainer Failure were assessed at each appointment. Results: The everStick Ortho group showed significantly lower PI values on the upper-lower lingual side after three (p=0.008) and six (p=0.001) months. The everStick Ortho group had significantly lower upper lingual (GI) levels after six months, and lower lingual side levels after one month. The Super-Splint group showed significantly lower PD values on the upper lingual side after six months. The everStick Ortho group presented significantly lower BOP levels after six months on the upper lingual side. No significant differences between the groups (p>0.05) in terms of retainer failure were found. Conclusions: The everStick Ortho group presented better results in terms of periodontal health. The failure rates of the retainers were similar.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo clínico prospectivo foi comparar a taxa de sucesso de três tipos de contenção lingual fixa e seus efeitos clínicos sobre a saúde periodontal. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco pacientes, com idades entre 13 e 25 anos, usando contenções fixas coladas nas arcadas superior e inferior foram agrupados, aleatoriamente, nos três seguintes grupos: Grupo 1 - Bond-A-Braid®; Grupo 2 - everStick® ORTHO; e Grupo 3 - Super-Splint. As consultas de acompanhamento foram feitas após duas semanas (inicial = T0), um mês (T1), três meses (T2) e seis meses (T3) da instalação das contenções. Em todas as consultas, foram avaliados o Índice de Placa (IP), Índice Gengival (IG), Profundidade de Sondagem (PS), Sangramento à sondagem (SAS) e Falha da Contenção. Resultados: O grupo everStick Ortho mostrou valores de IP significativamente menores nas faces linguais dos dentes superiores e inferiores após três (p=0,008) e seis (p=0,001) meses. O grupo everStick Ortho também apresentou níveis significativamente menores de IG na face lingual dos dentes superiores após seis meses, e face lingual dos dentes inferiores após um mês. O grupo Super-Splint mostrou valores significativamente menores de PS na face lingual dos dentes superiores após seis meses. O grupo everStick Ortho apresentou níveis significativamente menores de SAS na face lingual dos dentes superiores após seis meses. Quanto à falha na contenção, não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os grupos. Conclusões: O grupo everStick Ortho apresentou os melhores resultados em termos de saúde periodontal. As taxas de falha das contenções foram semelhantes.

Alport Syndrome (AS) is an important hereditary disorder affecting the glomerular basement membrane. Diagnosis of AS is based on the presence of hematuric nephropathy, renal failure, hearing loss, ocular abnormalities and changes in the glomerular basement membrane of the lamina densa. The aims of this case report were to show the changes in the gingival tissues in a patient with AS under therapy with cyclosporin-A after renal transplantation and to discuss the possible role of type IV collagen in gingival basal lamina as an alternative approach for the diagnosis of AS. A 20-year-old male patient with AS underwent periodontal therapy including a series of gingivectomy surgeries. Gingival samples obtained during the second surgery were examined histopathologically and by transmission electron microscopy for further pathological examination. Gingivectomy procedures have been performed every 6 months over the last 4 years. The excessive and fibrous gingival enlargements resulted in migration of the anterior teeth, but no alveolar bone loss occurred. This is the first report to demonstrate the possible changes in the gingival tissues caused by AS. It is suggested that gingival biopsy can be an initial diagnostic tool instead of renal or skin biopsies. Proper dental and periodontal care and regular visits to the dentist could provide limited gingival hyperplasia to patients with AS.