title: A discussion of some factors of relevance to the occlusion of complete dentures.
abstract: There exists general agreement that in the construction of complete dentures the accurate positioning of the plane of occlusion is essential for correct denture function. Yet rarely does a prosthodontist give detailed instructions concerning the positioning of this plane to the technician who is to set the teeth. In this paper the three-dimensional location and form of the occlusal plane is discussed. For both anatomical and mechanical reasons the author favours the use of the mandibular rather than the maxillary record rim as the clinical determinant of the level of the artificial occlusion. A change in the method of setting the face-bow is recommended to allow for the difference between the cranial Frankfort plane and the axis-orbital plane of the articulator. Arguments are advanced to support the proposal that artificial teeth should be set to an intercuspal location forward of centric relation; and that the form of the antero-posterior compensating curve of the artificial dentition should be determined by the clinician before the teeth are set to the registration rims.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mack
mesh_terms: D003725:Dental Articulators; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D003824:Denture, Complete; D006801:Humans; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014716:Vertical Dimension