Interproximal Papilla Augmentation Procedure: a Novel Surgical Approach and Clinical Evaluation of 10 Consecutive Procedures

Periodontal plastic surgery enables enhanced esthetics in the anterior maxillary region. Reconstruction of the interdental papilla is one of the most challenging and least predictable of treatments. Several surgical and nonsurgical procedures to rebuild lost papillae have been presented; however, good results have been elusive. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a novel surgical procedure based on an advanced papillary flap combined with a gingival graft intended to augment the soft tissue in the interdental area. The study comprised 10 consecutive papilla augmentation procedures performed in nine patients. Previous to the surgical procedure and at least 3 months postoperative, papilla contour measurements were carried out based on a papilla index score (PIS). PIS ranged from 0 to 2 preoperative (mean 1.0) and between 1 and 3 postoperative (mean 2.2). In eight procedures, PIS increased. Differences between pre- and postoperative PIS ranged from 0 to 3 PIS units (mean 1.2). Among the 10 procedures, there was an increase of 1 PIS unit in five, an increase of 2 PIS units in two, 3 PIS units in one, and no increase in the remaining two. This procedure is relatively easy to perform and offers a reliable solution to an esthetic problem. However, larger clinical and histologic follow-up studies are necessary before its long-term predictability can be established.