The Preliminary Report On Evaluation Of Interproximal Papilla Defects Of Maxillary Central Incisors

Objective The "black triangle" caused by loss of interproximal papilla usually lead to aesthetics deficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether age, gender, and the distance from the contact point of the Maxillary central incisors to the alveolar crest were correlated with the presence of the interproximal papilla by standardized periapical radiographs.Methods A total of 982 adult patients were received examination. 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 alveolar crest was measured by standardized periapical radiographs.Result When the distance between the contact point of two maxillary central incisors and alveolar crest was 5 mm or less, the probability of "black triangle" appearance were only 2.3%; when the distance ranged from 5-6mm to 6-7mm, the rates were up to 43.3% and 57.7%; when the distance exceeded 7mm, the "black triangle" rate was up to 78.9 %. Furthermore, the presence of the "black triangle" was related to the distance from the contact point to alveolar crest and age, but not sex.Conclusions The distance from the contact point to the alveolar crest on standardized periapical radiographs of the Maxillary central incisor is highly associated with the presence or absence of the interproximal papilla, and is a useful guide for clinical evaluation.