Prosthetic Significance of Anterior Teeth in Occlusion

This blog deals primarily with “the act of closure” occlusion, and how the closing strokes of mastication and other jaw closures are influenced by the anterior teeth (anterior guidance). The role of the anterior teeth in the learning process of mastication will also be considered.
The term “anterior disclusion” is in common use at the present time. Perhaps the best way to “disclude” will be simply to open the mouth. “Anterior disclusion” a term that is used to describe anterior tooth functions which separate the posterior teeth in eccentric motions of the jaws. During function minimal to moderate “lift” on the anterior teeth usually disappears in a relatively short period of time, thus allowing the posterior teeth to come into eccentric contact. “Anterior disclusion” seems to imply that only anterior teeth occlude. The term “anterior disclusion” is therefore, inadequate to describe the potential biological guiding function of the anterior teeth.