Gingival recession. Part 1: prevalence and aetiology

Gingival recession affects more than half of the population and has a multifactorial aetiology. Despite this, the knowledge and awareness of the factors that predispose sites to recession remains limited, with most people associating it with poor oral hygiene. As patients retain their teeth for longer, the risk of recession is likely to grow, thus increasing the need to establish a greater understanding of this very common condition. This two-part series provides a contemporary overview of the condition with the first article discussing its prevalence, aetiology and classification, and the second covering the different management options. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is important to establish the aetiology of gingival recession to manage the condition effectively.