CAD/CAM international magazine of digital dentistry

examination of their occlusion specifically. Pre- mature contacts are often uncomfortable, as the proprioceptors are sensitive to pressure. The patient will try to compensate for the occlusal interference by adopting a new habitual position, with consequences for the attached tissue struc- tures. _Position for occlusal restoration Essential to any kind of occlusal restoration is the position of the mandible. Most patients are treated in their habitual position of the mandible, which is the correct position for most patients. For patients with more complex restorations or patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders, a new physiological positioning of the mandible is essential. In most cases, centric occlu- sion is the new therapeutic position. Centric relation is the position of the mandible relative to the maxilla, with the intra-articular disc in place, when the heads of the mandibular condyles are against the most superior part of the distal-facing incline of the glenoid fossa (i.e. the mandibular condyles are in their most superior and anterior position). For balanced occlusion in a static position, the patient should have enough ABC contacts on each quadrant in the intercuspal position. In this po- sition, the teeth of the opposing jaws achieve complete intercuspation and are in maximum contact with each other. Figs. 5 & 6_The best physiological position: the condyles are in centric position with enough occlusal contacts. Figs. 7 & 8_The condyles are still in centric position. An interfering initial contact is evident on tooth #36. Figs. 9 & 10_Compensatory reaction caused by the interfering contact on tooth #36. The mandible has shifted to a new position, which is out of centric occlusion, to compensate for the occlusal interference. I 27 special _ occlusion I CAD/CAM 4_2012 Fig. 8Fig. 7 Fig. 6Fig. 5 Fig. 10Fig. 9