The basis for occusal rehabilitation:

Abstract

It is the purpose of this thesis and research project to ascertain if there is a preferential neuromuscular position to which a patient will optimally occlude; and where this position is in relation to the retruded contact position. Nine subjects, with a wide range of occlusal experiences, are utilized in the study: three patients have centric slips, but exhibit no temporomandibular joint dysfunction problems; three patients have a definite centric slip and a problem; and the last three patients show a problem and have very slight or no centric slips. In order to register the three points (retruded contact position, neuromuscular position, and the intercuspal position) in relation to each other, the Denar hinge-axis relator is utilized. All patients are disarticulated for varying periods of time to eliminate all proprioceptions except for the neuromuscular ones. The results will show that there is a definite neuromuscular position anterior of the retruded contact point, which a patient will utilize if the mandible is given adequate freedom of movement.