Lecture 3: Alignment and Occlusion Part 1

Question 1

What word is defined as the static relationship of teeth and is basic to all aspects of dentistry? It also refers to the relationship of the max. and mand. teeth when they are in functional contact activity of the mandible.

Answer 1

Occlusion

Question 2

What are some dental procedures that require knowledge of occlusion?

Answer 2

complete/partial dentures, fixed restorations, implant restorations

Question 3

What are the occlusal determinants?

Answer 3

joints, muscles, and teeth

Question 4

What is maximum intercuspation?

Answer 4

the complete intercuspation of the opposing teeth independent of the condylar position. (basically means we can set the two arches of our impression together w/o having to factor in our joint)

Question 5

What is centric relation?

Answer 5

the maxillomandibular relationship when the the properly aligned condyle-disk asselbies are in the most superior position against the articular eminence irrespective of tooth position or vertical dimension (which basically means the teeth do not have to contact)

Question 6

What determines centric relation, and what type of position is the condylar head in the mandibular fossa?

Answer 6

determined by ligament, and in the most UNSTRAINED position

Question 7

What is centric occlusion?

Answer 7

occlusion of opposing teeth when the mandible is in centric relation. May or may not coincide w/ maximum intercuspation (remember that this is when you don’t consider the condylar postition)

Question 8

What are the two types of vertical dimension?

Answer 8

occlusal vertical dimension (VDO), rest vertical dimension (VDR)

Question 9

What is the occlusal vertical dimension?

Answer 9

the distance measured between two points when the occluding members are in contact (most closed position)

Question 10

In health, the vertical dimension of occlusion is maintained by what teeth?

Answer 10

posterior teeth

Question 11

What is the rest vertical dimension?

Answer 11

the distance betw two selected points measured when the mandible is in the physiologic rest position

Question 12

In respect to mandibular position, when is your teeth/occlusion at physiologic rest? (3 reasons/bullet pts)

Answer 12

1. head in UPRIGHT position
2. involved muscles, particularly ELEVATOR & DEPRESSOR groups, are in equilibrium in tonic contraction
3. condyles in a NEUTRAL, UNSTRAINED position

Question 13

87% of patients have an interocclusal rest space approx of how many mm?

Answer 13

3mm

Question 14

The vertical position of each tooth is adaptable to what?

Answer 14

the space provided

Question 15

What force causes teeth to meet until they have equal opposite force?

Answer 15

eruptive force

Question 16

If the opposing force is greater than the eruptive force, what happens?

Answer 16

the teeth are intruded until the eruptive force equals the resistive force against them

Question 17

What are the factors that determine tooth position? (5)

Answer 17

1. arch width
2. arch form
3. tooth size
4. controlled by forces surrounding soft tissues
5. habits

Question 18

Arch Width definition?

Answer 18

distance across the arch; mand. less than maxillary.

Question 19

For arch forms and arch length, which arch is usually smaller?

Answer 19

Mand. is smaller than mx.

Question 20

what is the neutral position/space/zone?

Answer 20

position in the oral cavity where the labio-lingual and buccolingual forces are equal. In this position, tooth stability is achieved.

Question 21

An example of abnormal forces affecting neutral zone?

Answer 21

tongue thrusting

Question 22

what are examples of oral habits?

Answer 22

• playing musical instruments, pipe smoking, etc

Question 23

What helps maintain the teeth in normal alignment?

Answer 23

proximal occlusal and contact

Question 24

Loss of a single tooth and its proximal contact allows molars to drift and tip _____.

Answer 24

mesially (aka mesial drift)

Question 25

supereruption means?

Answer 25

the tooth erupts more, or extrudes

Question 26

occlusal plane?

Answer 26

average plane established by incisal and occlusal surfaces of teeth, generally it is not a plane, but it represents the planar meaning of curvature for these surfaces.

Question 27

intraarch tooth alignment?

Answer 27

relationship of teeth to each other within the dental arch

Question 28

axial position?

Answer 28

inclination of a tooth in the vertical axis

Question 29

Posterior teeth & canines are inclined w/ their crowns inclined _____.

Answer 29

mesially

Question 30

Roots are inclined _____.

Answer 30

distally

Question 31

Axial position?

Answer 31

usu described in mesiodistal & faciolingual directions (usu inseparable combo of two). aka crown’s inclination, root’s inclination (crown inclination is oppos of root inclination)

Question 32

curve of spee

Answer 32

anatomic curvature of the occlusal alignment of teeth, beginning at the tip of the mand. canine, following buccal cusps of PM’s and molars.

Question 33

curve of wilson?

Answer 33

medio-lateral curve of occlusal plane of post. teeth

Question 34

condylar stability?

Answer 34

condyles are in their most superior anterior position in the fossa resting against the post. slopes of the articular eminentiae.
- discs properly interposed betw condyles & fossae

Question 35

For optimal orthopedically stable relationship, you need?

Answer 35

condylar and occlusal stability

Question 36

Oclussal table?

Answer 36

• dist betw the buccal and lingual cusp tips

- inner & outer aspects are made of inclines; depending on location