How many interdental papillae does the interdental gingiva have?

The correct answer indicates that the interdental gingiva typically consists of two interdental papillae. Each interdental papilla is the portion of the gingiva that occupies the space between two adjacent teeth, and in most cases, there are two papillae between a pair of adjacent teeth, one papilla on each side of the interproximal space.

The structure of the interdental gingiva is important for maintaining periodontal health, as it supports the teeth and helps prevent food impaction, which can lead to plaque accumulation and potential periodontal disease. The presence of these two papillae helps to create a scalloped contour that is key to the proper architecture of healthy gingival tissue.

While one might consider different scenarios regarding the number of papillae, such as in cases of tooth loss, dental restorations, or when teeth are malpositioned, under normal anatomical conditions, two interdental papillae are the standard arrangement found in a healthy dentition.