Palpation as a method for evaluating occlusal discrepancies

In this study, 30 dentists were surveyed about their methods of palpating teeth for the evaluation of premature contacts. Thirty-eight dentists were then tested to determine their ability to discriminate degrees of prematurity using each of two different methods of palpation. The degree of digital pressure used by each dentist during palpation was also measured. The majority of dentists chose the same method for palpation: a single forefinger overlaying the facial surfaces of the central incisors being evaluated. In the discrimination test, the majority of dentists were able to identify reliably occlusal interference of greater than or equal to 50 microns regardless of the palpation method used.