Palpation of the Buccal and Lingual/Palatal Gingival Tissue of the Tooth

A palpation examination tests for sensitivity of the gingival tissue and for infection or inflammation of the cortical and medullary bone (Figure 2). Even when there is no 2 dimensional radiographic evidence of an apical infection, an infection may be present clinically. A study by Bender et al⁷ reported it is not uncommon to have extensive disease of the bone without evidence on a 2 dimensional radiograph. Three dimensional imaging techniques such as localized small field of view CBCT images can be helpful to identify periapical lesions missed in 2 dimensional imaging.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Palpation testing on tooth No. 19 performed by pressing index finger around the buccal and lingual gingiva.