occlusal
Where teeth meet
Occlusal describes the biting or chewing surfaces of teeth—the parts that meet when the jaw closes.
The term appears mainly in dentistry: occlusal adjustment, occlusal surface, occlusal splint.
An occlusal guard protects teeth from grinding during sleep.
Material placed within
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- onlayPartial tooth restoration
- amalgamMixture of disparate parts
composite · cavity · preparation · dental · prosthodontics · sealant · carving
Teeth-based food breakdown
- chewingCrushing food orally
- bruxismInvoluntary jaw clenching
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
load · stress · trauma · wear · pressure · distribution · excursive
Improper dental alignment
- overbiteExcessive incisor overlap
- underbiteLower jaw extends past upper
- crossbiteLateral jaw misalignment
- overjetForward upper tooth projection
centric · articulation · maxillary · mandibular · alignment · contact · functional · interference
Point of transition
ridge · crest · marginal · fossa · anatomy · morphology · contour · embrasure
Reaching a balanced state
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- reshapingAltering structure or form
- nightguardOral appliance preventing bruxism
- orthodonticsDental specialty for alignment
braces · retainer · correction · stabilization · deprogramming
filling
Material placed within
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- onlayPartial tooth restoration
amalgam · composite · cavity · preparation · dental · prosthodontics · sealant · carving
mastication
Teeth-based food breakdown
attrition · load · stress · trauma · wear · pressure · distribution · excursive
malocclusion
Improper dental alignment
- overbiteExcessive incisor overlap
- underbiteLower jaw extends past upper
- crossbiteLateral jaw misalignment
overjet · centric · articulation · maxillary · mandibular · alignment · contact · functional · interference
cusp
Point of transition
pit · ridge · crest · marginal · fossa · anatomy · morphology · contour · embrasure · buccal
equilibration
Reaching a balanced state
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- reshapingAltering structure or form
- nightguardOral appliance preventing bruxism
orthodontics · braces · retainer · correction · stabilization · deprogramming