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OBJECTIVES: To develop a simple way of recording occlusal contacts with proven inter- and intra-operator reliability. SETTING: Clinical skills laboratory in the University Dental Hospital of Manchester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The marked static occlusal contacts of 20 sets of models were recorded in a pseudo-clinical situation, by three dentists and in addition by one dentist on two occasions using a schematic representation of the dental arch – the 'occlusal sketch'. RESULTS: The median of Kappa agreement for inter- and intra-operator reliability was almost perfect. CONCLUSIONS: The occlusal sketch is a simple, inexpensive and easy way of recording the results of an occlusal examination using marking papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased use of endosseous dental implants means that many dentists will encounter patients with dental implants in their everyday practice. Dental practitioners might be actively involved in the provision of implant borne prostheses at both the surgical and restorative phases, or only at the restorative stage. This section is written for all dentists and aims to examine the subject of occlusion within implantology. It aims to provide guidelines of good occlusal practice to be used in the design of the prosthesis that is supported or retained by one or more implants. As implantology is a 'new' discipline of dentistry, there are fewer standard texts and this section, therefore, is much more extensively referenced than the subjects that have been considered to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This part of the series is devoted to tooth surface loss (TSL) not caused by caries or trauma. The management of this form of generalised TSL is included in this series because knowledge of occlusion is needed for both the diagnosis and, when indicated, treatment. There are, however, many other factors involved in the management of generalised TSL other than those associated with 'occlusion'. These will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The difference between paediatric dentistry and most other branches of dentistry is that in the child the occlusion is changing. Consequently 'Good Occlusal Practice' in children is a matter of making the right clinical decisions for the future occlusion. The clinician needs to be able to predict the influence that different treatment options will have on the occlusion when the child's development is complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease does not directly affect the occluding surfaces of teeth, consequently some may find a section on periodontics a surprising inclusion. Trauma from the occlusion, however, has been linked with periodontal disease for many years. Karolyi published his pioneering paper, in 1901 'Beobachtungen uber Pyorrhoea alveolaris' (occlusal stress and 'alveolar pyorrhoea'). (1) However, despite extensive research over many decades, the role of occlusion in the aetiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontitis is still not completely understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discipline of orthodontics is directed towards alteration of the occlusion of the teeth and the relationships of the jaws. It is therefore somewhat surprising to find that there is little scientific evidence to support any of the concepts that suggest occlusal goals for orthodontic treatment. Most of the current concepts of orthodontic treatment are based upon personal opinion and retrospective studies. Nevertheless, an attempt is made here to provide a guide to the relationship of orthodontics and the occlusion that is evidence based. Where the evidence is weak, these areas have been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the subject of occlusal considerations for partial and complete dentures. Features of an ideal occlusion in removable prosthodontics; Classifications of prostheses; Definition of centric relation, centric occlusion and balanced static and dynamic occlusion.

In most patients the existing occlusal scheme will be functional, comfortable and cosmetic; and so if a tooth or teeth need to be restored, the most appropriate way to provide the restoration(s) would be to adopt a 'conformative' approach: that is to provide treatment within the existing envelope of static and dynamic occlusal relationships. There will, however, be situations where the conformative approach cannot be adopted, and this section aims to describe what is 'Good Occlusal Practice' in these circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many theories and philosophies of occlusion have been developed. 1-12 The difficulty in scientifically validating the various approaches to providing an occlusion is that an 'occlusion' can only be judged against the reaction it may or may not produce in a tissue system (eg dental, alveolar, periodontal or articulatory). Because of this, the various theories and philosophies are essentially untested and so lack the scientific validity necessary to make them 'rules'. Often authors will present their own firmly held opinions as 'rules'. This does not mean that these approaches are to be ignored; they are, after all, the distillation of the clinical experience of many different operators over many years. But they are empirical. In developing these guidelines the authors have unashamedly drawn on this body of perceived wisdom, but we would also like to involve and challenge the reader by asking basic questions, and by applying a common sense approach to a subject that can be submerged under a sea of dictate and dogma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before presenting 'how' the examination and recording of the occlusion may be achieved, some attempt should be made to justify 'why' it is necessary. It may appear to be a strange way of justifying the need to examine the patient's occlusion, but this will initially involve a study of the influences of mandibular movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary tuberculosis is symptomless in the great majority of individuals. The clinical appearance of tuberculosis (TB) of the temporomandibular joint is similar to that of ordinary arthritis of this joint and so, is unlikely to be diagnosed early in nondestructive disease, especially when there are no symptoms and signs of TB elsewhere in the body. The role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other opportunistic organisms should not be overlooked in complicated head and neck infections as this is an ever increasing problem today, especially due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of tuberculosis in some urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]