Effect of bone crest to contact point distance on central papilla height using embrasure morphologies

Objective: To determine whether embrasure morphology can affect the association between bone crest-contact point distance and central papilla height in esthetic dentistry. Method and Materials: The central papilla was visually assessed in 310 adults using standardized periapical radiographs of the maxillary central incisors. The following vertical distances were measured: bone crest to contact point, proximal cementoenamel junction to contact point, and papilla height. The horizontal distance measured was the interdental width. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to interdental width and proximal cementoenamel junction-contact point distance: narrow-long, narrow-short, wide-long, and wide-short. Results: In subjects with papilla recession, the longer the bone crest-contact point distance, the greater the mean papilla height in all study groups except the narrow-long group. Significant correlations were found between papilla height and bone crest-contact point distance in subjects with recession. Conclusions: Various embrasure morphologies did not affect central papilla height in subjects with papilla recession. However, other factors may affect the central papilla height, and further study of these factors is necessary. Keywords: age factors, dental morphology, interdental papilla, radiography