Functional Occlusion: Understanding and Thinking

Abstract

Functional occlusion has been studied and debated for many decades by highly regarded dental professionals with documentation of how patterns of occlusions have evolved in our species over time (Jensen W (n.d.) Alternate occlusal schemes, p 66). Besides dentists, others like anthropologists have also studied patterns of occlusion from the earliest days of man. These include both anterior and posterior teeth changing over many generations based on wear patterns. They have documented that earlier “man” exhibited smaller skulls with larger maxilla and mandibles. Larger muscles along with a gritty diet ultimately lead to flattening of cusps and fossa. This relationship results in a flat plane occlusion (van der Bilt A, Engelen L, Pereira LJ, van der Glas HW, Abbink JH (2006) Oral Physiology and Mastication. Physiol Behav. 89:22–27). This motion of chewing was more circular in nature. The discovery of fire (500 million years ago) (Jamieson CH, (1962) Discussion of “the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint as it pertains to centric relation”. J Prosthet Dent 12(3):473–475) allowed for softer foods and less occlusal stress needed to chew, but the flat plane occlusion still dominated for millions of years to follow. As evolution continued, “modern man’s” skeletal structures changed due to a more upright posture. Skull base increased while the maxilla and mandible both decreased in size. Eventually, civilization evolved into producing low abrasive foods (Wheat, corn, potatoes) which required less chewing time. With the advent of the industrial revolution, foods were produced with even less abrasiveness. As a result, this evolution of the human race’s dentition has gone from a flat plane to a more preserved cusp and fossa relationships. Thus, we deal with chewing patterns that are far more complex as compared to our ancestors.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

William Shakespeare