An Evaluation of the Effect of Periodontal Biotype on Inter-Dental Papilla Proportions, Distances Between Facial and Palatal Papillae in the Maxillary Anterior Dentition.

PURPOSE: Gingival esthetics are an essential segment of facial beauty. The aim of the present study was to clinically assess the impact of periodontal biotype (PB), the length between the base of interproximal contact area and the interproximal bone crest (CP-BC), the distance between the facial and palatal papillae (DFPP), and papillary proportions (PP) on the presence of interdental papillae (PIP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 patients aged 18 to 60 years were recruited for study. PB and CP-BC were evaluated clinically. Alginate impressions of maxillary arches were made, and DFPPs were measured using a digital Vernier caliper. The impressions were later poured in dental stone, and PP were calculated.

RESULTS: Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis for correlation among the variables. A greater proportion of individuals who had a thick PB (77.7%) had significantly higher amounts of PIP than did patients with thin PB (60.7%) (p < 0.01). A strong significant positive correlation was found between PIP in thick PB patients and DFPP (p < 0.01, r = 0.56); DFPP and PP (p < 0.01, r = 0.61). A strong negative correlation was seen between PIP in thin PB and DFPP (p < 0.01, r = -0.67).

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, PB affected the heights and presence of maxillary interdental papillae by affecting papilla proportion and distances between the facial and palatal papillae.