OCCLUSION

-translation: a sliding or gliding motion.

-Christensen’s phenomenon: space between posterior teeth during protrusion or on the balancing side during lateral excursions.

-mandibular lateral translation: translatory portions of lateral excursions described as immediate or progressive.

-Bennett movement: OBSOLETE TERM.

-Bennett angle: angle formed by the sagittal plane and the path of the advancing condyle during lateral mandibular movements as viewed in the horizontal plane.

-Fisher angle: angle formed by the inclinations of the protrusive and non-working side condylar paths as viewed in the sagittal plane.

-centric relation: condyles in the most anterior-superior position against the slopes of the articulator eminences, regardless of any tooth relationships.

-centric relation contact: position of the mandible on the centric relation arc of closure when the teeth first contact.

-centric occlusion: occlusion of opposing teeth when the mandible is in centric relation.

-maximum intercuspation: maximum occlusal contact or intercuspation irrespective of condylar position.

-physiologic rest position: position of mandible when the head is in the upright position, the elevator and depressor muscles are in equilibrium in tonic contraction

-interocclusal rest space: difference between the physiologic rest position and the vertical dimension of occlusion.

-parafunction: abnormal function of the masticatory system (bruxism or clenching).

-mutual protection: when anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth during excursive contacts.

-unilateral balanced articulation: when posterior teeth on the working side contact as a group simultaneously with contact on the anterior guidance.

-bilaterally balanced articulation: group contact between posterior teeth simultaneously with contact on the anterior guidance in both working and balancing excursions.

-axial loading: when occlusal forces align along the vertical axes of the teeth.

-anterior guidance: anterior determinant of mandibular movement.

-condylar guidance: the posterior determinant of mandibular movement.

-stamp (functional) cusp: centric holding cusp. Buccal on the mandible; lingual on the max.

-shear (non-functional) cusp: lingual on the mandible; buccal on the max.

-working side interference: interference between posterior teeth on the side of the dental arches to which the mandible is moving laterally.

-non-working side interference: interference between posterior teeth on the side of the dental arches away from which the mandible is moving.

-protrusive interference: interference between posterior teeth on either side of the dental arches caused by a protrusive movement.

-lateral protrusive interference: an interference involving exclusively the maxillary lateral incisor against its opponent during excursion of the mandible.

-crossover interference: interference between posterior teeth when the mandible translated laterally beyond the guidance of the cusps.

-apexification: externally loading the condyles in centric relation.

-primary occlusal traumatism: perio tissue changes induced by occlusal forces in excess of normal masticatory function.

-secondary occlusal traumatism: perio tissue changes induced by occlusal forces produced by normal masticatory function on teeth with decreased attachment apparatus.

-fremitus: vibration of the roots of teeth that close into contact.

-engram: memorized pattern of muscle activity.

-crepitus: a crackling or grating noise in a joint during movement.

Category: Prosthodontics Notes