kontaktområdet

Kontaktområdet, in dentistry, refers to the region on the proximal surfaces of two adjacent teeth where they touch. The contact may appear as a point contact or as a broader contact area, and it is a fundamental feature of dental anatomy and occlusion.

The kontaktområdet serves several roles: it helps prevent food impaction between teeth, contributes to the stability and alignment of teeth within the dental arch, and supports the health of the interdental papilla and surrounding periodontal tissues. The exact location and size of the contact area vary by tooth type and individual, but it is generally situated on the approximate mid-crown region of the proximal surface.

Clinical significance: Disruption or loss of contact area can lead to diastemas, increased food packing, periodontal problems, and unstable occlusion. Restorations, caries treatment, and orthodontic therapy should preserve or recreate the kontaktområdet to maintain function and esthetics.

Assessment: Clinicians evaluate contact areas during examination using visual inspection, dental floss to test contact tightness, bitewing radiographs, and study models. In Scandinavian dental literature, kontaktområdet is the standard term; in other languages, it is often referred to as the proximal contact area.