Influence of the tooth- and implant-side marginal bone level on the interproximal papilla dimension in a single implant with a microthread, conical seal, and platform-switched design.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether bone level on the tooth side was the single dominant factor on the dimension of an interproximal papilla around single-tooth restorations made on a microthread, conical seal, and platform-switched design implant.

Methods: Periapical radiographs were taken of 17 patients, each of whom was treated with a single implant. The bone levels on the tooth (Dt) and implant (Di) sides were recorded. The dimension of the papilla (Ph) was measured as the shortest distance from the top of the papilla to the crestal bone. The marginal bone levels of the implants were also measured. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to correlate the variables, and a regression analysis was used to determine whether Di or Dt had a significant (P <0.05) influence on Ph.

Results: A positive correlation existed between Ph and Di (r = 0.413; P = 0.023) and between Ph and Dt (r = 0.830; P <0.0001). However, only Dt had a significant influence on Ph.

Conclusion: Dt is the dominant factor that influences the interproximal soft tissue dimension between a natural tooth and a single implant with a microthread, conical seal, and platform-switched design.