Interdental contact – morphofunctional component of the stomatognathic system

Abstract

Introduction. As part of the interproximal assembly, the interdental contact is a morphofunctional component that contributes to the stabilization of teeth, maintaining the integrity of the dental arch, protecting the papilla, and preventing food impaction. The aim of the study is to radiologically evaluate the proximal morphology of restored surfaces on lateral teeth and the positioning of the interdental contact.

Material and methods. The study was performed by analyzing 100 digital bite-wing radiographs that showed proximal restorations on lateral teeth, which were related to a neighboring tooth in order to mark an interproximal area. The data obtained were analyzed statistically.

Results. The restored surfaces exhibited a convex emergence profile in 71% of cases, a straight one in 26%, and a concave in 3%. A harmonious cervical marginal adaptation was observed in 66% of proximal restorations, while 33% showed defective cervical marginal adaptation. In 81% of cases, interdental contact was identified, while in 19% of cases, it was absent. Out of the 81 cases that exhibited interdental contact, 34.6% had an anatomical positioning, and 65.4% non-anatomical one.

Conclusions. The radiological assessment of proximal restorations on lateral teeth and of interdental contacts found that they do not always meet anatomical requirements and fail to fulfill all qualitative parameters. Concave and straight emergence profiles of restorations, the presence of invaginations and overhangs at the cervical level, absence of interdental contact, or its non-anatomical positioning indicate the necessity to revise the principles of restoring proximal surfaces on lateral teeth by using accessories to restore the interproximal relationship according to the clinical situation.