Category: O

A condition in centric and eccentric jaw relation in which there are no interceptive or deflective contacts of occluding surfaces.  

Bite guard, mouth guard, night guard. A plastic removable dental appliance that covers a dental arch separating opposing teeth from each other so that teeth cannot damage each other during parafunctional activity. Called also bite splint. A removable dental appliance that covers one or both arches and is designed to minimize the damaging effects of…

The shape on the chewing surfaces of a tooth or a row of teeth.  

Force applied to opposing teeth that results from contraction of the muscles of mastication; the force created during mastication via the action of muscles.  

The modification of the occlusal form of the teeth with the intent of equalizing occlusal stress, producingsimultaneous occlusal contacts or harmonizing cuspal relations.  

The interdental space that is coronal to the interproximal contact between adjacent, contacting teeth in the same arch. The embrasure marked by the marginal ridge on the distal side of one tooth and that on the mesial side of the adjacent tooth, and the contact points.  

An occlusal scheme that deviates from the ideal interactions of the occlusal contacts and anatomic components of the craniofacial complex.  

A condition in which there are simultaneous contacts of opposing teeth or tooth analogues (i.e., occlusion rims) on both sides of the opposing dental arches during eccentric movements within the functional range.  

A systematic examination of the masticatory system with special consideration of the effect of occlusion on the teeth and their related structures.