Occlusion

Synonyms

Shot bite, bit closure

Definition

Occlusion is the position of the lower row of teeth in relation to the upper row in the final bite, or more simply, the bite between the upper and lower jaws. In the final bite, the rows of teeth meet in the occlusal position and form the occlusal plane. In the rest position, however, the teeth do not touch each other, but rather gape 1-2 mm apart (static occlusion).

During occlusion, each tooth does not meet the tooth opposite it directly, but instead has contact with two teeth (antagonists) of the opposite jaw, to which the pressure is distributed (dynamic occlusion). The cusps and pits (fissures) on the surface of the teeth ensure that the teeth find their optimal position. Because the upper incisors are wider than the lower ones, the upper row of teeth is offset backwards by half a tooth width.

During chewing, the rows of teeth slide on each other. This movement is called articulation, with the canine taking over the guidance (canine guidance). In normal occlusion, the lip closure line forms a straight line with the occlusal plane. The dental technician must take this into account as a reference point when fabricating a complete denture.

Occlusion disorders

An occlusal disorder is defined as an incorrect position of the jaws in relation to each other. There are various causes where normal occlusion is no longer guaranteed. This can extend to individual teeth or even the entire dentition.

A too high filling, crown, bridge or extracted teeth that have not been replaced can lead to occlusion problems. Also all positional anomalies such as cross bite, open bite or forced bite do not allow normal occlusion. In the standard dentition, all posterior teeth are evenly in contact with each other, while the temporomandibular joint assumes a centric, balanced position.

However, if the position of the teeth deviates from the norm – for example, due to the insertion of a crown/bridge or a tooth repositioning – this leads to incorrect loading of the system. Individual teeth are then subjected to excessive stress, while others are not stressed at all. This one-sided load leads to a malposition in the joint, which is noticeable in some people as severe pain.

This pain does not only affect the joint itself, but the entire masticatory system. Since the masticatory muscles are also incorrectly loaded, tension and pain may even extend into the back muscles. The masticatory organ is a very complex system, which is why problems here should be taken seriously to prevent permanent damage.