The significance of the distance between tooth roots for the formation of the interdental papilla

INTRODUCTION. In contemporary periodontology, the interproximal attachment receives significant attention, as it is a key diagnostic and prognostic factor. Clinicians employ various surgical techniques to reconstruct the papilla and eliminate black triangles. Currently, some criteria that may influence the achievement of interproximal attachment are known. This article highlights the importance of one such criterion – the distance between tooth roots. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the significance of the distance between roots for the formation of interproximal attachment. A clinical case involving two surgical procedures in the region of teeth 42–32 and orthodontic treatment is presented. Four teeth with proximal, mid-vestibular, and mid-lingual recessions were treated. The mean root coverage in the proximal area reached 85% after reducing the interradicular distance to 2.7 mm. This study demonstrates the relevance of interradicular distance as a criterion for interproximal attachment formation.

AIM. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the significance of root proximity in the formation of interproximal attachment. A clinical case involving two surgical procedures in the area of teeth 42–32 combined with orthodontic treatment is presented. Four teeth with proximal, mid-buccal, and mid-lingual recessions were treated. The average root coverage in the proximal region reached 85% after reducing the interradicular distance to 2.7 mm. This study demonstrates that the distance between roots is a critical factor in achieving interproximal attachment formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A clinical case involving two surgical procedures in the region of teeth 42–32 and orthodontic treatment is presented.

RESULTS. Four teeth with proximal, mid-vestibular, and mid-lingual recessions were treated. The mean root coverage in the proximal area reached 85% after reducing the interradicular distance to 2.7 mm.

CONCLUSIONS. This clinical case demonstrates that successful formation of interproximal attachment during recession treatment requires consideration of the distance between tooth roots. It was shown that the initial surgical treatment, although providing temporary improvement, did not yield a stable outcome due to insufficient proximity of the roots (3.6 mm). Subsequent orthodontic correction to reduce the interradicular distance to 2.7 mm resulted in a significant and stable increase in the volume of the interdental papilla and root coverage. Therefore, planning of mucogingival procedures should include assessment of interradicular distance, and when unfavorable, preoperative orthodontic preparation should be considered.

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