occlusal surface

occlusal surface

Etymology: L, occludere, to close up, superficies, surface

the surface of a tooth in one arch that makes contact or near contact with the corresponding surface of a tooth. Also called masticatory surface.

---

occlusal,

adj pertaining to the contacting surfaces of opposing occlusal units (teeth or occlusion rims). Pertaining to the masticating surfaces of the posterior teeth.

occlusal adjustment,

n See adjustment, occlusal.

occlusal analysis,

n See analysis, occlusal.

occlusal balance,

n See balanced occlusion.

occlusal contacts,

n.pl See contacts, deflective occusal and contact, interceptive occlusal.

occlusal contouring,

n See contouring, occlusal.

occlusal correction,

n See correction, occlusal.

occlusal curvature,

n See curve of occlusion.

occlusal disharmony,

n See disharmony, occlusal.

occlusal disturbances,

n.pl See disturbances, occlusal.

occlusal embrasure,

n See embrasure, occlusal.

occlusal equilibration,

n See equilibration, occlusal.

occlusal force,

n See force, occlusal.

occlusal form,

n See form, occlusal.

occlusal function,

n See function, heavy.

occlusal glide,

See glide, occlusion.

occlusal guard,

n See occlusal splint.

occlusal harmony,

n See harmony, occlusal.

occlusal load,

n See load, occlusal.

occlusal path,

n See path, occlusal.

occlusal path registration,

n See path, occlusal.

occlusal pattern,

n See pattern, occlusal.

occlusal perception,

See perception, occlusal.

occlusal pivot,

n See pivot, occlusal.

occlusal plane,

n See plane, occlusal.

occlusal position,

See position, occlusal.

occlusal prematurities

n premature contact of the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth.

occlusal pressure,

n See pressure, occlusal.

occlusal recontouring,

n See contouring, occlusal.

occlusal rest,

n See position, rest.

occlusal splint,

n (occlusal guard) a bite plane designed and fabricated for patients with some types of functional temporomandibular joint disorders. Provides a stable occlusal platform from which to reconstruct a functional occlusion. See also splint.

occlusal stop,

n See rest, occlusal.

occlusal surface,

n See surface, occlusal.

occlusal system,

n See system, occlusal.

occlusal table,

n See table, occlusal.

occlusal template,

n See template, occlusal.

occlusal therapy,

n a treatment to establish and maintain a comfortable, stable, and functional occlusion for patients with one of several types of occlusal problems. Treatment may be limited to the teeth, the neuromuscular mechanisms of chewing, or a combination of both.

occlusal trauma,

n See trauma, occlusal.

occlusal unit,

n one of two kinds of cusps: (1) a stamp cusp coupled with a fossa, and (2) a shear cusp. The occlusal edges of the shear cusp are coupled with the edges of a stamp cusp, by which it passes closely without sliding contacts.

occlusal vertical dimension (OVD)

n the distance between a point on a maxillary tooth and a point on the opposing mandibular tooth during occlusion; several methods are used to determine this measurement, including specific facial measurements that have been proven to be equal to the OVD.

occlusal wear,

n See wear, occlusal.

---

surface,

n the outer portion of a mass or object.

surface, balancing occlusal,

the surfaces of the teeth or denture bases that make contact to provide balancing contacts.

surface, basal,

n See denture, basal surface of.

surface, buccal,

n a surface adjacent to and facing the cheek.

surface, foundation,

n See denture, basal surface of.

surface, implant-bearing,

n the area of bone that has been selected from the surgical bone impression to be in direct contact with the implant frame.

surface, impression,

n See denture, basal surface of.

surface markers,

n.pl the identification labels applied to the external surfaces of dentures. They may be ink or engraved and may include name, initials, social security number, national registration number, date of birth, and so on.

surface, occlusal,

n the anatomic superior surface of the mandibular posterior teeth and the inferior surface of the maxillary posterior teeth. These surfaces are limited mesially and distally by marginal ridges, and buccally and lingually by the buccal and lingual boundaries of the cusp eminences.

surface, proximal,

n the surface of a tooth or the portion of a cavity that is nearest to the adjacent tooth; the mesial or distal surface of a tooth.

surface radiation exposure,

n See exposure, entrance.

surface, smooth,

n a surface of a tooth on which pits and fissures are not found normally.

surface, working occlusal,

n the surface or surfaces of the teeth on which chewing can occur.