The influence of the distance from the contact point to the crest of bone on the presence of the interproximal dental papilla.

BACKGROUND Loss of the interproximal dental papilla may cause functional and, especially in the maxillary anterior region, phonetic and severe esthetic problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the distance from the contact point to the bone crest on standardized periapical radiographs of the maxillary anterior teeth could be correlated with the presence of the interproximal papilla in Taiwanese patients. METHODS In total, 200 interproximal sites of maxillary anterior teeth in 45 randomly selected patients were examined. Selected subjects were adult Taiwanese with fully erupted permanent dentition. The presence of the interproximal papilla was determined visually. If there was no visible space apical to the contact area, the papilla was recorded as being present. The distance from the contact point to the crest of bone was measured on standardized periapical radiographs using a paralleling technique with a RinnXCP holder. RESULTS Data revealed that when the distance from the contact point to the bone crest on standardized periapical radiographs was 5 mm or less, the papillae were almost 100% present. When the distance was 6 mm, 51% of the papillae were present, and when the distance was 7 mm or greater, only 23% of the papillae were present. CONCLUSION The distance from the contact point to the bone crest on standardized periapical radiographs of the maxillary anterior teeth is highly associated with the presence or absence of the interproximal papilla in Taiwanese patients, and is a useful guide for clinical evaluation.