Influence of inter-proximal dimensions on inter-dental papilla presence

The presence of interdental papilla in relation to vertical distance between alveolar crest and the contact point, as well as horizontal distance between adjacent roots is of interest to dentists. Hence, 50 patients with a total of 501-papilla were examined. Following extensive debridement, mucoperiosteal flap was reflected and measurements of horizontal and vertical distances between adjacent roots were taken. Prior to reflection, each papilla was also given a JEMT index score. Linear trend analysis was done using χ² test to examine the incidence of papilla and in 88.9% of cases, inter-dental papilla were found when vertical distances was 4 mm (P<0.01). Additionally, when horizontal distances were between 0.5 and 1 mm, papilla were present in 95.7% to 100% of cases (P<0.01). Thus, the presence of inter-proximal papilla was significantly influenced by vertical and horizontal distances of inter-proximal areas, both separately and in combination.