Occlusion (dentistry)

Occlusion, in a dental context, means simply the contact between teeth. More technically, it is the relationship between the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth when they approach each other, as occurs during chewing or at rest.

Malocclusion is the misalignment of teeth and jaws, or more simply, a "bad bite". Malocclusion can cause number of health and dental problems.

Static occlusion refers to contact between teeth when the jaw is closed and stationary, while dynamic occlusion refers to occlusal contacts made when the jaw is moving, as with chewing.

Centric occlusion is the occlusion of opposing teeth when the mandible is in centric relation. Centric occlusion is the first tooth contact and may or may not coincide with maximum intercuspation. It is also referred to as a person's habitual bite, bite of convenience, or intercuspation position (ICP). Centric relation, not to be confused with centric occlusion, is a relationship between the upper and lower jaw.

Occlusal problems

Malocclusion can cause a number of problems, not just with teeth, but with gums, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and jaw muscles. Teeth, fillings, and crowns may wear, break, or loosen, and teeth may be tender or ache. Receding gums can be exacerbated by a faulty bite. TMJ problems, broadly termed temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ syndrome, can include clicking, grinding, or pain in the jaw joint, ringing or buzzing in the ears, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. If the jaw is mispositioned, jaw muscles may have to work harder, which can lead to fatigue and or muscle spasms. This in turn can lead to headaches or migraines, eye or sinus pain, and pain in the neck, shoulder, or even back. Untreated damaging malocclusion can lead to occlusal trauma.

Some of the treatments for different occlusal problems include tooth adjustments, replacement of teeth, medication (usually temporary), a diet of softer foods, and relaxation therapy for stress-related clenching. Fixed appliances, known as orthodontic or dental braces, may be used to adjust the occlusion, and removable appliances, called occlusal splints, may be used for adjustment as well as for other purposes.

See also

• Andrew's six keys to occlusion
• Dahl effect
• Malocclusion – "bad bite"
• Maximum intercuspation, formerly known as centric occlusion – the bite in which all the teeth are closed together in their natural and physiologic position
• Mutually protected occlusion – the way front and back teeth protect each other
• Occlusal splint – used to treat malocclusions and bruxism
• Occlusal trauma – problems that arise from untreated damaging occlusions
• Overeruption
• Vertical dimension of occlusion – a type of jaw measurement

References

• "Tooth surface loss; Part 3: Occlusion and splint therapy" British Dental Journal, Vol. 186, No. 5, 1999-03-13, via nature.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
• Davies, S., and R. M. J. Gray, "Practice: What is occlusion?" British Dental Journal, Vol. 191, No. 5, pp. 235–245, 2001-09-08, via nature.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
• "What is Malocclusion?" (Website). American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
• "Frequently Asked Questions: Jaw problems and headaches". (Website). British Dental Health Foundation, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.

This dentistry article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Teeth Dentistry stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую Ploeren MTA Maryland Route 13 Look at other dictionaries: Occlusion — may refer to: Occlusion (dentistry), the manner in which the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed Occlusion effect, an audio phenomenon that occurs when one closes the opening into the ear canal and the loudness of low… …   Wikipedia occlusion — (n.) 1640s, from M.L. occlusio, noun of action from pp. stem of L. occludere (see OCCLUDE (Cf. occlude)). Dentistry sense is from 1880 …   Etymology dictionary occlusion — [ə klo͞o′zhən] n. 1. an occluding or being occluded 2. Dentistry the fitting together of the upper and lower teeth, or the way in which these fit together when the jaws are closed 3. Meteorol. OCCLUDED FRONT 4. Phonet. the complete closing of the …   English World dictionary dentistry — /den teuh stree/, n. the profession or science dealing with the prevention and treatment of diseases and malformations of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, and the removal, correction, and replacement of decayed, damaged, or lost parts, including …   Universalium Occlusion dentaire — L occlusion dentaire (latin : occludere = enfermer ; claudere = fermer) est la manière dont les dents supérieures (dents maxillaires) s engrènent avec les dents inférieures (dents mandibulaires). Cette intercuspidie maximale est un état …   Wikipédia en Français occlusion — 1. The act of closing or the state of being closed. 2. In chemistry, the absorption of a gas by a metal or the inclusion of one substance within another (as in a gelatinous precipitate). 3. Any contact between the incising or masticating surfaces …   Medical dictionary occlusion — occlusal /euh klooh seuhl, zeuhl/, adj. /euh klooh zheuhn/, n. 1. the act or state of occluding or the state of being occluded. 2. Dentistry. the fitting together of the teeth of the lower jaw with the corresponding teeth of the upper jaw when… …   Universalium occlusion — n. 1) the closing or obstruction of a hollow organ or part. 2) (in dentistry) the relation of the upper and lower teeth when they are in contact. Maximum contact between the teeth is known as intercuspal (or centric) occlusion. See also:… …   The new mediacal dictionary occlusion — n. 1 the act or process of occluding. 2 Meteorol. a phenomenon in which the cold front of a depression overtakes the warm front, causing upward displacement of warm air between them. 3 Dentistry the position of the teeth when the jaws are closed …   Useful english dictionary dentistry — noun the branch of medicine dealing with the anatomy and development and diseases of the teeth • Syn: ↑dental medicine, ↑odontology • Members of this Topic: ↑crowned, ↑uncrowned, ↑crown, ↑crownwork, ↑jacket …   Useful english dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”