In dentistry, embrasures are V-shaped valleys between adjacent teeth. They provide a spill way for food to escape during chewing[1] which essentially aids in the self-cleansing process. They also prevent food from being forced through the contact area which might cause food packing and periodontal pain and permit a slight amount of stimulation to the gingiva.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Embrasure_dental.jpg/220px-Embrasure_dental.jpg)
When two teeth in the same arch are in contact, their curvatures adjacent to the contact areas form spillway spaces which are known as embrasures.
See also
edit- Angularis Nigra ("black triangle")
References
edit- ^ "TheFreeDictionary". 2014 Farlex, Inc. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- Nelson, Stanley J.; Major M. Ash, Jr. (2010). Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology, and Occlusion (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders. ISBN 978-1-4160-6209-7. OCLC 723253410.