Mutually protected occlusion
Encyclopedia
In dentistry, a mutually protected occlusion is an occlusal scheme
in which the anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth, and vice versa.
The anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth by providing for a plane of guidance during excursions, thus allowing the cusps
of the posterior teeth to disclude rather than strike one another during lateral or protrusive movements from centric relation. In other words, the posterior teeth have much larger crowns and many more cusps than the anterior teeth. Because posterior crowns are so much wider and possess cuspal projections in various configurations, the cusps of the maxillary
teeth and those of the mandibular teeth have an opportunity to bang into each other during chewing, speech or simply meeting together when one bites down. To prevent this from happening, the anterior teeth of each arch will, ideally, be situated so as to come into contact before the cusps of the posterior teeth do, thus preventing wear on the posterior teeth. This requires less force because the anterior teeth are further form the joint (analogous to stopping a door further from its hinge).
The posterior teeth protect the anterior teeth by providing a stable vertical dimension of occlusion
. While anterior teeth may retain their natural position even after loss of posterior teeth, the masticatory
forces will eventually cause the single-rooted anterior to splay, thus leading to a collapsed bite.
Occlusion (dentistry)
Occlusion, in a dental context, means simply the contact between teeth. More technically, it is the relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when they approach each other, as occurs during chewing or at rest....
in which the anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth, and vice versa.
The anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth by providing for a plane of guidance during excursions, thus allowing the cusps
Cusp (dentistry)
A cusp is an occlusal or incisal eminence on a tooth.Canine teeth, otherwise known as cuspids, each possess a single cusp, while premolars, otherwise known as bicuspids, possess two each. Molars normally possess either four or five cusps...
of the posterior teeth to disclude rather than strike one another during lateral or protrusive movements from centric relation. In other words, the posterior teeth have much larger crowns and many more cusps than the anterior teeth. Because posterior crowns are so much wider and possess cuspal projections in various configurations, the cusps of the maxillary
Maxilla
The maxilla is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible , which is also a fusion of two halves at the mental symphysis. Sometimes The maxilla (plural: maxillae) is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper...
teeth and those of the mandibular teeth have an opportunity to bang into each other during chewing, speech or simply meeting together when one bites down. To prevent this from happening, the anterior teeth of each arch will, ideally, be situated so as to come into contact before the cusps of the posterior teeth do, thus preventing wear on the posterior teeth. This requires less force because the anterior teeth are further form the joint (analogous to stopping a door further from its hinge).
The posterior teeth protect the anterior teeth by providing a stable vertical dimension of occlusion
Vertical dimension of occlusion
Vertical dimension of occlusion, or VDO, also known as occlusal vertical dimension is a term used in dentistry to indicate the superior-inferior relationship of the maxilla and the mandible when the teeth are situated in maximum intercuspation....
. While anterior teeth may retain their natural position even after loss of posterior teeth, the masticatory
Mastication
Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. It is the first step of digestion and it increases the surface area of foods to allow more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, the food is positioned between the teeth for grinding by...
forces will eventually cause the single-rooted anterior to splay, thus leading to a collapsed bite.