Changes in the vertical position of interdental papillae and interseptal bone following the approximation of anterior teeth.

Orthodontic approximation has been proposed as a tool for restoring the lost papilla. A prospective analysis was performed to evaluate the changes in the levels of interdental papilla and alveolar crest following an orthodontic approximation. The levels of interdental papilla and alveolar crest increased; however, the interradicular distance did not influence the level of the interdental papilla or papilla score. Interestingly, the shape of the teeth had a significant impact on the interdental papilla score. In conclusion, orthodontic approximation significantly enhanced the level of the interdental papilla and interproximal alveolar crest, producing an improved esthetic outcome.

Comparative study on the results of non-surgical periodontal treatment according to the location of the affected site.

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to compare the treatment outcomes of non-surgical periodontal treatment according to the distribution of attachment loss of a given patient. METHODS: Forty-five patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were divided in two subgroups; Group I patients with teeth manifesting attachment loss of ≥6 mm at one or more sites on the buccal/labial aspect while maintaining an attachment level ≤5 mm at the lingual/palatal aspect, Group II patients with teeth manifesting an attachment level ≥6 mm at more than one site on the lingual/palatal aspect while maintaining an attachment level ≤5 mm at the buccal/labial aspect. The probing pocket depth, probing attachment level, tooth mobility, and chewing discomfort were recorded at baseline and 6 months examinations following non-surgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS: The buccal/labial surfaces of teeth with moderate to severe periodontitis in Group I patients demonstrated a greater amount of pocket reduction, gain of attachment level, and tooth mobility reduction than the lingual/palatal aspects of teeth examined in Group II patients. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the present study, the patients demonstrating attachment loss ≥6 mm at buccal/labial surfaces responded better to the nonsurgical periodontal therapy than those demonstrating comparable attachment loss at lingual/palatal surfaces.