Reliability of the evaluation of occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position

Reliability of clinical measurement is essential to any clinical discipline. This investigation assessed intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability achieved in identifying contacting teeth in the intercuspal position. Shim stock and an articulating film were compared in the evaluation of occlusal contacts of 337 antagonist occlusal pairs in 24 young adults by two examiners. Results were compared by use of a simple proportion of agreement and, when possible, the Kappa statistical test that corrects for chance agreement. Shim stock displayed better reliability than articulating film and appeared suitable for clinical measurement of occlusal contacts in intercuspal position.