Influence of interdental embrasures on interdental papilla

Background: There is growing attention on anterior esthetics by both dentists and patients, which emphasizes the need for conduct of study encompassing the anatomical features of an embrasure and correlating with papilla fill. Hence the present study has been designed to meet these parameters, including food lodgement. Aim:  To assess the influence of anatomical and morphological characteristics of interdental embrasures on interdental papilla and food lodgement. Objectives: were set as the following: 1.Correlation of Modified Papilla Index Score (PIS) with interdental anatomical measurements as follows: a. Distance between Contact Point and Bone Crest (CP-BC). b. Interdental Distance (IDD).c. Embrasure Space Area (EA).d. Crown Form (CF).e. Papilla Length (PL). 2.To determine the optimal dimensions of interdental embrasure between maxillary incisors so as to be completely filled by normal healthy interdental papilla. 3.To correlate occurrence of food lodgement with Modified Papilla Index Score (PIS) and Embrasure Space Area (EA). Materials and methods : 532 patients aged 18-58 years who had fully erupted permanent dentition and healthy gingiva with probing depth ≤ 3mm were included into the study. Quantitative analysis of interdental papillae were done using clinical parameters along with radiographic examination. Results : The clinical and radiographic assessment of 1312 interdental papillae revealed that the interdental anatomical factors viz (which are) CP-BC distance, IDD, EA, CF and PL significantly influenced the degree of papilla fill. The study also highlighted the possible occurrence of food lodgment in patients with open embrasures. Conclusion : Embrasure anatomical parameters and papillary heightvary widely among individuals. Interdental papillary deficiency is a relative phenomenon since it is an outcome of net influence of all the other parameters.