Effect of the Vertical and Horizontal Distances Between Adjacent Implants and Between a Tooth and an Implant on the Incidence of Interproximal Papilla

Background: The interproximal dental papilla is considered an essential component of the anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla and mandible. The absence of this structure has esthetic and phonetical consequences and lateral food impaction problems occur with the implant‐supported prosthesis. The aims of the present study were to: 1) evaluate the effect of the vertical and horizontal distances between adjacent implants (group 1) and between a tooth and an implant (group 2) on the presence of the interproximal dental papilla; and 2) determine whether the interaction between the vertical and horizontal distances might be associated with the incidence of the papilla. Methods: In 48 patients, 96 interproximal sites in group 1 and 80 in group 2 were examined. The distance from the base of the contact point to the bone crest (D1), the distance between tooth and implant or between two implants (D2), and the distance from the base of the contact point to the tip of the papilla (D3) were measured. Results: In both groups, when D2 was 3, 3.5, or 4 mm, the papilla was present most of the time (P