Critical Appraisal of Index of Recession (IR) in Epidemiological Study

Background: Gingival recession is a commonly occurring undesirable condition, with great clinical significance. The aim of present study was to estimate the extent and severity of gingival recession using Index of Recession (IR). Method and Material: The study was performed in 511 patients of either sex, aged 15 years and above seeking dental treatment in OPD of Dental College and Hospital. Gingival recession was measured using Index of Recession (IR). Chi square test was used for analysis. Results: 52.74% of teeth and 39.43% of teeth surfaces examined in the present study had gingival recession. Maximum number of teeth surfaces and maximum number of patients between 15 to 54years showed horizontal score of 3, whereas, above 54years, horizontal score of 5 was more prevalent. Vertical score of 1 (i.e., 1mm recession) was most prevalent between 15 to 64 years, whereas vertical score of 2 was prevalent above 64 years. In very few teeth surfaces, recession extended up to mucogingival junction (0.37%). Facial surfaces were more involved than lingual/palatal surfaces. Conclusions: IR appears to be more suitable for clinical studies on root coverage procedures for the management of gingival recession rather than for epidemiological studies with large sample size.