In dentistry, maximum intercuspation refers to the
occlusal position of the
mandible
In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower tooth, teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movabl ...
in which the
cusps of the teeth of both arches fully interpose themselves with the cusps of the teeth of the opposing arch. This position used to be referred to as ''centric occlusion''.
This is an important jaw position, as it defines both the anterior-posterior and lateral relationships of the mandible and the
maxilla
The maxilla (plural: ''maxillae'' ) in vertebrates is the upper fixed (not fixed in Neopterygii) bone of the jaw formed from the fusion of two maxillary bones. In humans, the upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth. The t ...
, as well as the superior-inferior relationship known as the
vertical dimension of occlusion
Vertical dimension of occlusion, or VDO, also known as occlusal vertical dimension (OVD), is a term used in dentistry to indicate the superior-inferior relationship of the maxilla and the mandible when the teeth are occluded in maximum intercusp ...
. These are important considerations when evaluating a patient
orthodontically, as well as restoring them
prosthodontically.
See also
*
Occlusion (dentistry)
Occlusion, in a dental context, means simply the contact between teeth. More technically, it is the relationship between the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth when they approach each other, as occurs during chewing or at rest.
Stati ...
References
* Ash, Major M.; Nelson, Stanley. WHEELER'S DENTAL ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND OCCLUSION, 8th edition.
Dental anatomy
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