Factors and techniques influencing peri-implant papillae.
OBJECTIVE
Loss of implant papilla is one of the more troubling dilemmas in implant dentistry. The "black triangle" around the implant-supported restoration causes not only phonetic difficulties and food impaction but also unpleasant esthetics. This is considered to be a failure in today's implant therapy standards. As a consequence, many techniques have been developed to either preserve or regenerate the interimplant soft tissue. It is the purpose of this article to examine factors that may affect the appearance of the peri-implant papilla.


METHODS
MEDLINE search was used to identify articles published through September 2007 related to implant esthetics as interimplant papillae.


RESULTS
Factors such as crestal bone height, interproximal distance, tooth form/shape, gingival thickness, and keratinized gingival width have all been identified to influence the appearance of the interimplant papillae. In addition, many techniques/materials have been successfully used in promoting interimplant papillae formation.


CONCLUSIONS
This article presents a comprehensive review of factors that may influence the interimplant papillae and illustrates techniques used in attempting to recreate/correct this challenging problem in implant dentistry.
Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, 1101 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA.
Yiu Cheung
YC
Chow
Hom-Lay
HL
Wang
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000150:complications*; D015921:Dental Implants; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration
D015921:Dental Implants