Dimension of interproximal soft tissue between adjacent implants in two distinctive implant systems

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the dimension of interproximal soft tissue between adjacent implants in distinctive implant systems. METHODS: This study involved 85 interproximal papillae between two adjacent implants in 50 patients who had implants placed adjacent to each other and who had prosthesis in place for longer than 1 year. The shortest distance between the radiopaque material on the tip of interimplant papilla and the most coronal portion of the interimplant crestal bone was measured (radiographic length of papilla [RL]). The horizontal distance (HD) between the two adjacent implants was measured at the fixture-abutment interface level. Considering the possible effect of interimplant crestal bone resorption on closely implanted sites, HDs were divided into two categories: HD <3 and >or=3 mm. The Mann-Whitney test was performed to find the difference in the dimension of interimplant papilla. RESULTS: In cases of HD <3 mm, RL did not differ statistically in both systems. Also, in cases of HD >3 mm, RL did not show a statistically significant difference in both systems. CONCLUSION: Both systems had similar dimensions of interproximal soft tissue between adjacent implants, irrespective of the horizontal distance of the fixture.