[Normality and pathology of the interdental papilla]

Interdental papilla is the portion of gingiva between two adjacent teeth. It has only recently been correctly described by Cohen. Before this interdental papilla was considered only a gingival trait roughly pyramidal in shape. Furthermore, for a long time, the interdental gingiva function was seen only as deflection of interproximal food debris. Now it is clear that the physiology of the papilla is more complex, that it is a biologic barrier to protect deep periodontal tissues. So it's very important to respect papilla integrity during all dental practice and it may be important to keratinize, by interproximal brushing the col to increase its resistance. Besides, during periodontal disease, the interproximal gingiva changes its morphology and histology, so that it's very useful to analyze it to obtain an exact clinical evaluation of disease.