From the Guidelines
Tapping teeth, also known as percussion, is a diagnostic technique used to assess the health of teeth and surrounding tissues, primarily to identify inflammation or infection in the tooth or its supporting structures. The purpose of this technique is to evaluate the patient's response to the percussion, which can indicate conditions such as pulpitis, periapical abscess, or a cracked tooth 1. During the procedure, a dentist gently taps on the tooth with a dental instrument and assesses the patient's reaction. A painful response to tapping often suggests inflammation of the periodontal ligament.
Key Points to Consider
- The technique works because inflammation increases sensitivity to pressure and vibration, allowing dentists to differentiate between healthy and problematic teeth 1.
- Healthy teeth typically do not produce pain when tapped, while teeth with problems often cause sharp, distinct pain upon percussion.
- This diagnostic method is useful for locating the source of dental pain when a patient cannot precisely identify the problematic tooth.
- It provides valuable information that guides treatment decisions before more advanced diagnostic tools like X-rays are employed.
Clinical Application
In the context of dental trauma, as discussed in the management of dental trauma in a primary care setting 1, tapping teeth can be an essential part of the initial assessment to determine the extent of injury and guide immediate care. However, the provided evidence does not directly address the technique of tapping teeth in the context of diagnosing dental trauma or other conditions. Nonetheless, the principle of using percussion to assess dental health remains a fundamental diagnostic tool in dentistry.
Recommendation
Given the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in dental conditions, tapping teeth as a diagnostic technique should be considered a valuable tool in the assessment of tooth health, especially when more advanced diagnostic methods are not immediately available 1.
From the Research
Medical Purpose of Tapping Teeth
- The medical purpose of tapping teeth is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it can be related to the diagnosis and management of dentine hypersensitivity 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Tapping teeth can be used to assess the sensitivity of teeth and to diagnose conditions such as cracked tooth syndrome or dentine hypersensitivity 2, 3.
- The kinematics of the tooth tapping movement have been studied, and it has been found that the movement can be divided into three main parts: tooth contact phase, opening phase, and closing phase 6.
- The study of tooth tapping movement can provide insights into the reflex response and the relaxation time of the masseter muscles 6.
Diagnosis and Management of Dentine Hypersensitivity
- Dentine hypersensitivity is a common complaint that can be caused by various factors, including erosion, abrasion, and trauma 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity can be difficult, and a full history including social and medical factors is necessary to aid in the diagnosis 2.
- Management strategies for dentine hypersensitivity include topically applied desensitising pastes, resin bonding agents, and direct restorations 2, 3, 4.
- Dentine bonding agents have been found to provide better relief from dentine hypersensitivity than desensitising toothpaste 4.