Factors influencing the length of the interproximal dental papilla between maxillary anterior teeth

Chen, Min-Chieh; Chan, Chiu-Po; Tu, Yu-Kang; Liao, Yu-Fang; Ku, Yen-Chen; Kwong, Leung-Kuen; Pan, Whei-Lin; Ju, Yuh-Ren

doi:10.1016/S1991-7902(09)60015-5

Next »Journal of Dental Sciences
Volume 4, Issue 3 , Pages 103-109, September 2009

Factors influencing the length of the interproximal dental papilla between maxillary anterior teeth

Min-Chieh Chen
- Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Chiu-Po Chan
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Periodontics, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Department of Periodontics, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 6F, 199, Dunhua North Road, Songshan District, Taipei 105, Taiwan
Yu-Kang Tu
- Department of Periodontology, Leeds Dental Institute and Division of Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Yu-Fang Liao
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Craniofacial Orthodontics, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Yen-Chen Ku
- Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Leung-Kuen Kwong
- Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Whei-Lin Pan
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Periodontics, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Yuh-Ren Ju
- Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Periodontics, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 17 April 2009; accepted 22 July 2009.

Background/Purpose

The presence of interproximal dental papillae in maxillary anterior teeth is a key esthetic factor and a great concern for dentists and patients. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the length of the interproximal dental papilla in anterior teeth.

Materials and methods

In total, 102 interproximal sites of maxillary anterior teeth in 30 patients were examined.

Results

TempBond mixed with barium sulfate was applied to the tip of the inter- proximal dental papillae and mucogingival junction using a periodontal probe. Periapical films using a parallel technique were then taken. The presence of the interproximal dental papilla was determined on the radiographs. If the tip of the interproximal dental papilla was at the base of the contact point, the papilla was recorded as being present. If not, the papilla was considered to be recessed. The radiographs were transferred to a computer and analyzed using ImageJ software. Age, sex, and the following parameters were measured: the length of the interproximal dental papilla, the distance between the base of the contact point and bone crest, the width of keratinized gingiva, and the interdental distance. Results showed that the length of the interproximal dental papilla was significantly and individually related to the distance from the contact point to the bone crest, the width of the keratinized gingiva, and the interdental distance.