OCCLUSION

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO???

1. No change in VDO unless well planned beforehand. 2. Equal and simultaneous contacts around arch in CO or CR. 3. Excursive movements without interference. 4. Working movement same as beforecuspid protected or group function. 5. No balancing contacts.

No change in VDO unless planned! Left shows anterior contacts without RPD in place And right shows with partial in place. Note loss of anterior contacts. Adjust occlusion on framework so one doesnt loss natural anterior contacts.

Overlay rests

Often used over just a single tooth or two to maintain contact if an increase in VDO from say lingual plating on maxillary anteriors.

Was this increase in VDO planned????

Cuspid Protected

Dont change to group function without a good reason.

Group Function

When this patient moves into a left working all the natural teeth stay in contact and the denture tooth #14 discludes. If #14 had not been edge to edge in CO then it too would be in contact in this working movement. What you dont want is the denture teeth to cause natural teeth to disclude.

Know your Factors of Occlusion and which one(s) you can control.

As more natural teeth are present you have less control over what????

Incisal guidance Occlusal plane Compensating curve Cusp height What hasnt changed?

Food for thought

Ensure what if you plan an increase in VDO in RPD patients? When might you switch from cuspid protected to group function? When might you want a balancing contact?