Deviation from the Broadrick occlusal curve following posterior tooth loss

Production of an appropriate occlusal curve for dentitions which have become deranged because of tooth loss, overeruption, tipping and drifting can present challenges for the dental technician. An earlier paper (J Oral Rehabil, 2005 32: 895-900.) demonstrates that the use of the Broadrick flag method for producing the occlusal curve is relatively accurate for most intact arches. This study demonstrates that when a posterior tooth has remained unopposed for 5 years or more positional changes, which cause deviation from the Broadrick curve, occur. The extent of the deviation may be extreme, potentially leading to difficulties in restoring a harmonious occlusal scheme. This study also demonstrates that the Broadrick curve may provide an accurate reproduction of the occlusal curve, even when the tooth forming the posterior determinant of the curve is tipped. A moderate degree of tipping of this tooth has little effect on the radius of the Broadrick curve.