The function of mastication: a key determinant of dental occlusion

To explain the static and dynamic relationship between the dental arches, models of functions, based on the observation of protrusion and lateral movements of the mandible, are generally presented. In clinical practice, the patients are frequently asked to complete such artificial test movements in order to assess occlusion. However, these movements are in contradiction with the knowledge acquired through examination of the kinetics of incision, mastication, and the posterior dental contacts. The learning objective of this article is to present the required integration of physiology and the kinetics of mastication with any occlusodontic procedure. Interpretation of muscular action during mastication, incision, trituration, and intradental functional guidance are discussed and illustrated.