A recent trial published in the Clinical Oral Investigations reported that acute periodontal pain can disrupt the tactile ability of the teeth, with a considerable decline in the somatosensory ability for perceiving small thicknesses between the occluding teeth. The strain of the periodontal ligament, in the absence of painful sensation, ascertains occlusal tactile acuity return to the baseline values.

Investigators undertook this randomized trial to explore impact of periodontal pain and mechanical deformity of the periodontal ligament, stimulated by the placement of orthodontic separators, on the occlusal tactile acuity in 63 healthy volunteers.

In the study, testing of the occlusal tactile acuity was done at the baseline (T0), utilizing nine aluminium foils positioned between the molar teeth, and one sham test (in the absence of foil).  Later on, orthodontic separators were placed, and participants were randomly segregated into two groups:

• Group Pain (N=32): A total of 18 males and 14 females were included. The separators were eliminated after 24 hours
• Group Strain (N=31): A total of 14 males and 17 females were included.  The separators were eliminated after seven days. 

The estimation of occlusal tactile acuity was repeated in Group Pain and Group Strain instantly after the elimination of orthodontic separators (T1). For each testing thickness, a within-group comparison (T1 vs T0) was also carried out. Group Pain displayed a substantial decline of the occlusal tactile acuity at T1 when compared to T0, for the thicknesses 24 μm and 32 μm. There was no considerable decrease in Group Strain.

Thus, the tactile ability of the teeth is hampered by acute periodontal pain with a decrease in the perception of small thickness.