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07:32
Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects
Published on: September 1, 2016
Preliminary study to establish a relationship between tactile sensation and surface roughness
1Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mando@iupui.edu
Caries Research
|January 22, 2010
Summary
Experienced examiners used tactile sensations to assess surface roughness. The 23 SE explorer with a steel handle best distinguished roughness, though examiner consistency remained a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Biomaterials
- Surface characterization
Background:
- Accurate assessment of surface roughness is crucial in dentistry for material longevity and patient comfort.
- Tactile sensation is a primary method for evaluating surface characteristics, but its reliability needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tactile sensations in distinguishing between different levels of surface roughness.
- To identify the optimal dental instrument for tactile roughness assessment.
Main Methods:
- Five experienced examiners assessed three standard roughness references (0.49, 0.92, 1.54 µm).
- Examiners used two types of explorers (TU 17 SE, 23 SE) with two handle types (Standard, No. 6 Steel) and a WHO probe.
- A 5-point response scale and three repeated evaluations were employed to establish repeatability.
Main Results:
- The 23 SE explorer with the steel handle demonstrated the highest ability to differentiate between the three roughness levels (p < 0.05).
- High intraexaminer reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients [ICC] 0.90–0.98) was observed, indicating consistent individual scoring.
- Low interexaminer reliability (ICC 0–0.04) highlighted significant inconsistencies between different examiners.
Conclusions:
- While trained examiners can achieve consistent tactile assessments, inter-examiner variability limits the objective grading of surface roughness.
- The 23 SE explorer with a steel handle is recommended for tactile roughness evaluation due to its superior discriminative ability.
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