[The differential threshold of thickness perception between antagonist teeth with different degrees of mouth opening]

The discriminatory capacity of various widths, at different degrees of mouth opening, was assessed in a population of 22 individuals, 13 females and 9 males, with complete dentition. Seven series of nine widths each, based on central standardised measurements, and the choice of appropriate intervals enabled an univocal experimental method to be elaborated. The results showed that the differential threshold follows Weber's Law in a relatively linear fashion and that the perception interval varies in proportion from a tenth of a millimetre to 2 mm. In addition, whereas no specificity of direction was found for smaller widths, this was evident for larger widths but was contrary to that reported in earlier studies on the subject.