Occlusion: Principles and Assessment

Occlusion is a complex subject and one of special importance to the provision of comprehensive patient care in clinical dental practice. It is acknowledged that diagnosis and management of occlusal dysfunction is based on the biology of the jaw-muscle system and this text aims to describe in simple terms the most relevant aspects of occlusion as well as emphasize its importance in routine restorative treatment. The text is designed in three parts. The first presents the biological aspects and describes the integrated relationships of the teeth, jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint. Part 2 considers clinical assessments of the oclusion and part 3 presents the technical and restorative aspects, including a review of the available instrumentation. It is hoped that this text will provide a valuable first guide to the subject of occlusion for undergraduates as well as a succinct reference for postgraduates and all those with a special interest in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics.