Covers how upper and lower teeth fit together in a normal Class I intercuspation, including the key of occlusion and which teeth meet which opposing teeth. It then compares supporting and guiding cusps in a table, before describing the curve of Spee, the curve of Wilson and Monson's sphere in a figure and a table. The note ends with why the curves matter for denture teeth and surface details to consider when restoring occlusal anatomy.
Topic 15 of 75 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Preclinics of Dental Prosthetics (Dental Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 4 sections, about 320 words (3 min of reading), with 14 flashcards.
In this note
Introduction
How the arches fit
The occlusal curves
Occlusal surface details that matter in restoring
Introduction
Occlusal morphology is the shape of the chewing surfaces and the way upper and lower surfaces fit together. Restoring it correctly decides whether a crown chews well, stays stable and spares the periodontium.
How the arches fit
In a normal (Angle Class I) intercuspation:
The mesiobuccal cusp of the upper first molar sits in the buccal groove of the lower first molar: the key of occlusion.
The upper arch is slightly larger and overlaps the lower one on the outside: upper buccal cusps lie buccal to the lower teeth, and upper incisors cover the lower incisal edges.
Each tooth meets two opposing teeth, except the lower central incisors and the upper third molars.
The upper canine fits in the embrasure between the lower canine and first premolar.
Supporting and guiding cusps
Forces in the intercuspal position should run along the long axes of the teeth. Supporting cusps must therefore be restored with stable contacts on flat areas, not on steep slopes.
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