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AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with the fill of inter-dental spaces by gingival papillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six adult subjects were evaluated. Papilla score (PS), tooth form/shape, interproximal contact length and gingival thickness were recorded for 672 maxillary anterior and first pre-molar interproximal sites. Statistical analyses included a non-parametric chi(2) test, anova, the Mixed Procedure for SAS and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Papilla deficiency was more frequent in older subjects (por=0.87; (2) proximal contact length >or=2.8 mm; (3) bone crest-contact point or=1.5 mm. Gingival thickness correlated negatively with PS (r=-0.37 to -0.54) and positively with tissue height (r=0.23-0.43). Tooth form (i.e. crown width to length ratio) correlated negatively with PS (r=-0.37 to -0.61). Other parameters failed to show any significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival papilla appearance was associated significantly with subject age, tooth form/shape, proximal contact length, crestal bone height and interproximal gingival thickness.
Chow et al. (Tue,) studied this question.