Effects of load and indicator type upon occlusal contact markings.

Statement Of Problem: Clinicians use occlusal indicators to identify tooth contacts. However, the reliability of these indicators has been questioned. At times occlusal contacts are not identified or false positive occlusal contacts are observed.

Purpose Of Study: This study was designed to compare the number and size of occlusal indicator marks from both thick and thin occlusal indicator materials with different loads.

Materials And Methods: Ivorine casts were articulated and mounted on an Hana Mate nonadjustable articulator. Loads of 100N, 150N, and 200N were applied with Accufim (25 microm thick, Parkell, Farmingdale, NY) and Articulating Paper (60 microm thick, G.E. Rudischauer Dental Articulating Paper, Brooklyn, NY) as the occlusal indicators. A fresh piece of indicator was used for each trial. Comparisons were made of the number and size of the contacts for both the thick and thin occlusal indicators at the different loads.

Results: Observation of the marks recorded with the thicker occlusal indicator demonstrated both a greater number marks and a larger size to the marks when compared to the thinner Accufilm, p < or = 0.02-0.0001. However, there was no significant increase in the number or size of the marks with an increased load for either material.