Relationship of the incisive papilla to the maxillary central incisors.

The average distance between the most anterior point of the maxillary central incisors and the most posterior point of the incisive papilla was 12.454 mm with a standard deviation of 3.867 mm. This distance was measured when these two points were projected on a plane which was parallel to the reference plane formed by the tips of three interdental papillae; i.e., the papilla between two central incisors (A), between the first and second molars on the right side (R), and on the left side (L). The average error incurred due to inconsistency of the method employed was less than 3% or less than 0.372 mm for the position of the central incisor. It is believed that the application of this anatomic relation can provide a reliable point for arranging and checking the position of the anterior maxillary teeth for complete dentures.