[The absolute threshold of the perception of thicknesses between antagonist teeth in contact]

An experimental technique has been evolved with the aim of identifying the perception threshold of widths between antagonist teeth using thin metal sheets of a known thickness either singly or as multiples. A reference sample was chosen from young subjects with integral dentition: 22 individuals, 13 women and 9 men, were included. Following statistical analysis, the results showed that, in spite of a wide individual variation, the absolute threshold may be located between 8 and 45 mu, with no difference between sexes. Contrary to published findings, no significant variation between back and front teeth was observed.