Proximal contacts in posterior teeth and factors influencing interproximal caries.

A tooth may be touching its neighbors at the proximal surface but this alone is not sufficient to provide protection to the interdental tissues and prevent the initiation of caries. A well-contoured, properly positioned, firm proximal contact may protect the gingival tissues and tend to clean the adjoining surfaces, thereby preventing the occurrence of caries. Faulty proximal contacts in the natural teeth or in restorations may lead to gingival disease and caries. There are instances where identical types of proximal contacts exist in different mouths or in the same mouth at different regions showing the presence of caries in one area and the absence of caries in another, suggesting that other factors may also play a part in the occurrence of caries. Unfortunately scant literature is available on the subject and hence it was decided to investigate the dimensions of the proximal contacts in posterior teeth and the factors which may influence the occurrence of interproximal caries. This knowledge may be useful for educating patients and in duplicating a correct contact relationship in restorations to maintain the integrity of dental arches, health of the supporting structures, and permanence of the restoration,