Assessment of Periodontal Health in Patients with Orthodontic Appliances: A Comparative Study

Background: Orthodontic treatment enhances dental alignment and facial esthetics but may predispose to periodontal changes due to plaque retention around brackets and bands. Objective: To assess and compare the periodontal health of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy with those not under orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 130 subjects aged 14–30 years, divided into two equal groups: orthodontic (n=65) and non-orthodontic (n=65). Periodontal health was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN). Gingival inflammation, plaque accumulation, and probing depth were recorded by a single calibrated examiner. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, and chi-square test was applied with p