BASIC PRINCIPLES OF OCCLUSION the relationship of opposing teeth in contact the movement of opposing teeth during the function

on of mastication and the empty movements of clenching and grinding.

Gold has a wear factor closest to enamel and some of the ceramics are the most abrasive. Amalgam wears a little faster than enamel

3. Failure to restore a posterior tooth There is a potential for drifting or migration of opposing or adjacent teeth. Any alteration to relationship between arches may lead to alterations to contacts during lateral or protrusive excursions or to changes in the direction of the slide between centric relation and centric occlusion. 4. Loss of posterior support Below a certain number it may not be possible to maintain a normal vertical dimension and function without remaining teeth migrating or being depressed into the alveolus under excessive load 5. Minimum posterior support Molars count as two units Bicsups count as one unit Third molars count as one unit Minimum units required total eight units If there are less than eight, particularly in the presence of periodontal disease the upper anterior teeth will migrate labially, the lower anteriors will tilt to the lingual and remaining posteriors will either drift under

Any of the following can lead to alteration to occlusion: failure to replace a lost tooth over eruption of a tooth over carving of occlusal surface deepened occlusal anatomy increase cuspal inclines Factors leading to occlusal change 1. Orthodontic movement Which does not reinstate a correct cuspid rise and anterior guidance may lead to parafunction and excessive wear. Correction should be directed

2. Wear on occlusal surfaces and incisal edges Restorative material on a large area of the occlusal surface should have a wear factor that resembles the opposing and adjacent tooth structure. Deeper inercuspation with the opposing tooth may develop with the potential for a locked occlusion, balancing side contacts in lateral excursions and split cusps

load or be depressed into the alveolus leading to loss of vertical dimension 6. Distal rotation of the mandible Placing extra load on the condyles and the temporo mandibular joint As long as the dentition is complete as far as the second bicuspids in both arches, the mandible will not rotate distally 7. Patient habits Dietary and cleaning habits are significant, particularly in relation to erosion. Stress and tension are factors in parafunction. 8. Balancing side interferences Results in excessive wear of canine Mostly on 2nd and 3rd molars and the further distal the contact the greater the load and the leverage that can be applied Deep intercuspation between upper and lower molars is generally the result of loss of canine guidance and cuspid rise It may arise from deeply overcarving the occlusal anatomy of a molar

RESTORATION OF OCCLUSAL HARMONY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Working side and balancing side interferences Orthodontic correction Restore posterior support Restore vertical dimension Use of a removable spling

9. Chemical erosion