toothtotooth

Toothtotooth is a term used in dental education and pedagogy to describe the deliberate bringing of two teeth into contact as part of demonstrations of occlusion. The word is a simple reduplication of the noun tooth, forming a playful but descriptive label for a controlled tooth-to-tooth contact scenario.

In usage, toothtotooth refers to a teaching exercise in which a pair of opposing dentiform teeth or natural teeth are positioned to contact under supervision. The exercise helps students observe cusp-to-fossa relationships, incisal guidance, disclusion, and the effects of bite force distribution. It is distinct from clinical diagnosis and is generally used only in educational settings or patient demonstrations.

Origin and reception: The term arose in dental education circles as a lighthearted shorthand for documenting and communicating about tooth contact cases used for teaching occlusion. It is not a formal clinical diagnosis, and its usage varies by institution and region. Some educators prefer more precise terminology, while others retain toothtotooth as a mnemonic for occlusal alignment exercises.

Variations and related concepts: Toothtotooth can be performed with typodont models, dental arches mounted on an articulator, or live patients under controlled supervision. Related concepts include occlusion, mastication, cusp-to-fossa relationships, and bite registration.