Occlusion: fact and fallacy.

Abstract

An attempt is made to indicate that many theoretical concepts concerning the human dental occlusion have an inadequate scientific basis. Consideration of some simple experimental findings, together with observations from comparative dental morphology, suggest that normal maturation of the occlusion is assisted by attrition. The stability, in terms of constancy of occlusal contacts, is considered, particularly in relation to the connection between occlusal irregularities and mandibular dysfunction pain. The validity of such a connection is considered to be doubtful. At present there is insufficient knowledge of the basics of the human dental occlusion to justify assumptions of this nature. The findings of the A.D.A. President's Conference on the Examination, Diagnosis, and Management of Temporomandibular Disorders are supported.