Functional Occlusion in Restorative Dentistry

When restoring occlusion in any dental patient, the clinician is always attempting to establish occlusion in harmony with a repeatable position of the mandible. Restoration of the maxillofacial patient also strives to restore dentition when the mandible is in a repeatable position. The right and left condyles may not be seated within the glenoid fossa in similar positions to each other, but the maxillofacial patient usually achieves a near-repeatable position that can be employed for restoration. These positions are often deviated from conventional dental contact, but the primary goal is simultaneous bilateral occlusal contacts. The remaining dentition should be supported with splinting type prostheses or retainers to supplement periodontal support and maintain position.