The accuracy of clinician evaluation of interproximal contacts using different methods

Abstract

Seating single or multiple crowns is one of the most basic skills for a dentist. If the interproximal contacts are excessively tight, complete seating of a single crown may not be possible. If the crown is slightly too large for the space it should occupy, the crown may not seat completely, and open margins may result. Open margins produced by improperly seated restorations on the maxillary right first molar and second premolar are shown in Figure 1. The clinician used floss to evaluate the interproximal contacts. Open margins are difficult to clean, can lead to inflammation of the gingival tissues, and may result in recurrent dental caries. 1 A contact that is too tight also may produce patient discomfort because of pressure exerted on the adjacent teeth. Therefore, it is important to ensure the complete seating of crowns. Difficulties arise when either a radiograph or an explorer are used to evaluate subgingival crown margins. Assif et al 2 recommended the use of impression materials when crown

Evaluation of the proximal contact tightness in class II resin composite restorations using different contact forming instruments: a 1-year randomized controlled clinical trial

“…This technique was used in previous clinical studies and scored the contact tightness as ‟satisfactory”, ‟acceptable”, or ‟unacceptable”. But this assessment technique doesn’t have enough sensitivity for detecting any minor alterations in the strength of contact [ 16 , 18 , 23 ]. Thus, in this clinical study, digital force gauge and ivory matrix were used to measure accurately the PCT in newtons and easily detect the minor changes of PCT as previously described by Loomans et al [ 8 , 23 ] who evaluated the PCT between posterior composite and adjacent teeth using this method, and also Ren et al [ 16 ] and Kandathilparambil et al [ 30 ] who investigated the biological alterations in PCT between the fixed implant and the neighboring teeth after placement via this method.…”

“…According to the United States Public Health System (USPHS) guidelines, PCT can be determined when dental floss is used to evaluate contact tightness by recording the ease of dental floss passing interdentally [ 18 – 21 ]. Utilizing standardized metal blades or strips of shim stock with various thicknesses is a different way of determining the contact tightness.…”

“…Utilizing standardized metal blades or strips of shim stock with various thicknesses is a different way of determining the contact tightness. The thickness at which the interdental proximal area initially prevented passage was recorded [ 18 ]. While most previous studies have relied on the conventional and less precise approach of using dental floss, this research introduces a cutting-edge innovation by employing a digital force gauge to measure PCT accurately [ 16 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Measurement of proximal contact of single crowns to assess interproximal relief: A pilot study

“…However, despite the high survival and success rates, biological and technical complications associated with crowns are common [ 2 ]. Overly tight proximal contact results in incomplete marginal seating of crowns that can lead to open margins, inflammation of gingival tissue, and recurrent dental caries [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] ]. Loose interproximal contact is one of the most commonly reported complications, along with fracture of artificial crowns and chipping of restorative materials [ 2 ].…”

“…Loose interproximal contact is one of the most commonly reported complications, along with fracture of artificial crowns and chipping of restorative materials [ 2 ]. Loose interproximal contact between crowns and adjacent natural teeth may result in food impaction, which increases the risk of gingival tissue trauma, inflammation, and caries in the adjacent tooth [ 3 , 8 , 9 ]. Furthermore, patients are usually sensitive to food impaction, and it is a frequent complaint in dental clinics.…”