The association between embrasure morphology and central papilla recession.

OBJECTIVE

To discover the association between embrasure morphology and central papilla recession.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The central papilla was visually assessed in 330 adults using standardized periapical radiographs of the maxillary central incisors. The following vertical distances were measured: papilla recession [i.e., the distance from the papilla tip (PT) to the contact point (CP)], bone crest (BC) to contact point (BC-CP), proximal cementoenamel junction (pCEJ) to contact point (pCEJ-CP), and papilla height (PH). The horizontal distance measured was the inter-dental width. Subjects were divided into four groups according to inter-dental width and pCEJ-CP distance, respectively: narrow-long, narrow-short, wide-long, and wide-short.

RESULTS

A statistically positive relationship was evident between central papilla recession and age, and a statistically negative relationship was evident between age and PH in all study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Central papilla recession as a result of ageing is most frequently associated with a wide inter-dental width and long pCEJ-CP distance. However, other factors affect the likelihood of the presence of the inter-dental papilla, and further study of the interaction among these factors is warranted.