proximal contact

contact /con·tact/ (kon´takt)

1. a mutual touching of two bodies or persons.

2. an individual known to have been sufficiently near an infected person to have been exposed to the transfer of infectious material.

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direct contact , immediate contact the contact of a healthy person with a person having a communicable disease, the disease being transmitted as a result.

balancing contact  the contact between the upper and lower occlusal surfaces of the teeth on the side opposite the working contact.

complete contact  contact of the entire adjoining surfaces of two teeth.

indirect contact , mediate contact that achieved through some intervening medium, as prolongation of a communicable disease through the air or by means of fomites.

occlusal contact  contact between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed.

proximal contact , proximate contact touching of the proximal surfaces of two adjoining teeth.

working contact  that between the upper and lower teeth on the side toward which the mandible has been moved in mastication.

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proximal contact

Etymology: L, proximus, nearest, contingere, to touch

contact between the distal surface of one tooth and the mesial surface of an adjacent tooth.