This carefully curated glossary, meticulously compiled to facilitate your understanding, will serve as a vital reference resource to navigate the intricacies of Occlusal Medicine. Our aim is to ensure that you enter this program well-versed in the diction that underpins the world of Occlusal Medicine, empowering you to engage with the subject matter with confidence and clarity.
Articulator
The articulator is a device used for simulating jaw movements. Plaster models of the upper and the lower jaw are mounted to the articulator to simulate the natural chewing movements and the dental status, so that he dentist can identify occlusal problems and can initiate the necessary treatment steps for a perfect function of the masticatory organ.
The use of an articulator is especially necessary for making partial or complete dentures and during functional analysis.
Axiography
Axiography means recording of movement traces of the lower jaw respectively the condyles (hinge axis). see Condylography
Bite splint (occlusal splint)
The bite splint is an individually adjusted, removable and temporary synthetic splint which is used for a lack of contact between the chewing surfaces of the jaws. Bite splints mostly are applied to the lower jaw. The aim of the bite splint therapy is the elimination and relief of wrong or overload of the teeth or jaw joints.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the grinding of teeth or clenching of teeth. It usually occurs unconsciously at night while sleeping or during the day. The main causes of bruxism are psychological and emotional stress and tension, but triggers can also be sleep-related breathing disorders, nicotine, alcohol consumption or medication. This overload can lead to destruction of the hard tooth substance, which will make the teeth sensitive to pain. Bruxism can be diagnosed with the help of the BruxChecker, a simple diagnostic tool. The result is an overload of the teeth, the tooth holder and / or excessive wear and damage to the tooth structure. These processes can make your teeth sensitive and painful. A gnash splint can help
Bennett – movement
(Bennet, London Oral Surgeon, 1870-1947); this means lateral, spatial displacement of the lower jaw during lateral movement (so-called lateral movement or laterotrusion). The laterotursion condyle is laterally displaced during a laterotrusion movement. The temporomandibular joint head (condyle) on the laterotrusion side (“working joint”, “working condyle”, functional joint, “resting condyle”, see illustration) can – due to the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint – experience the following movements: to the side and to the front = lateroprotrusion to the side and back = latero retrusion to the side and up = laterostrusion to the side and down = laterodetrusion This Bennett movement can start immediately and at the same time at the beginning of the sideways movement.
Bennett angle
Mediotrusion angle, angle between the pro and mediotrusion path of the vibrating condyle, projected onto the horizontal plane (= horizontal mediotrusion path), English: Bennett’s angle; (London oral surgeon Bennet, 1870-1947). This angle, which is described as “difficult” by definition, is based on a peculiarity of the temporomandibular joint during the chewing act: In the case of pure feed movements, the two condyle centers describe, among other things, a uniform path running in the ventral direction (towards the abdomen). With a sideways movement (laterotrusion, eg for chewing) the condyle on the mediotrusion side (“balance side”) moves ventrally and medially (so-called swinging condyle). The other condyle is the movement center (work side, so-called resting condyle) the movement center. The Bennet angle is now the angle measured on a horizontal plane between the recording of a pure feed movement in the sagittal direction (protrusion movement) and a lateral (lateral) movement of the “oscillating condyle” on the balance side. The path of this condyle is described by a straight line that connects the beginning and end of the condyle path recording. This angle is approximately 10 – 15 degrees on average. (Source: zahnlexikon-online.de) that connects the beginning and end of the condyle path recording. This angle is approximately 10 – 15 degrees on average. (Source: zahnlexikon-online.de) that connects the beginning and end of the condyle path recording. This angle is approximately 10 – 15 degrees on average. (Source: zahnlexikon-online.de)
condylar
three-dimensional motion of the condyle in the skull-related coordinate system with division into: horizontal condylar : movement path of the condyle to the horizontal plane projected frontal condylar : movement path of the condyle on the frontal plane.
Condylar position (centric)
Term for the position of the temporomandibular heads in the terminal, that is, the most distant hinge axis position. The TMJ heads are located in the zenith of the joint pit.
condyle
TMJ head mandible, condyle, capitulum mandibulae, joint head, joint head, temporomandibular joint head, movable, roller-shaped part of the temporomandibular joint, which sits at the tip of the condylar process of the lower jaw. Articulates directly with the intermediate disc (disc) and indirectly with the socket (fossa mandibularis). When subjected to violence, its approach to the lower jaw (collum mandibulae) is one of the fragile parts of the lower jaw (“collum fracture”). A “swinging condyle” means the joint head on the balance side; the “resting condyle” is that of the working side (Bennet angle, mediotrusion side (source: zahnlexikon-online.de)
CMD (craniomandibular dysfunction)
(Dysfunction; cranio = derived word part for skull or head, mandibular = lower jaw),
Malfunction in the area of all structures that determine and control the position of the lower jaw to the upper jaw; Collective name for a diverse complex of diseases of the chewing system that relate to symptoms in the head and neck area, such as:
Competitive athletes prone to injury
In addition to clinical and instrumental functional analysis, imaging methods (based on X-ray technology, magnetic resonance methods, ultrasound methods (sonography), endoscopic methods (arthroscopy)) and consultative methods (for clarifying psychological and orthopedic factors (especially the cervical spine)) are used for diagnosis.
Two therapeutic approaches are under discussion: a somatic and a psychological. The somatic approach focuses on changes in occlusion, splint therapy, medication and surgical measures, the psychological approach focuses on home exercises, stress management, education, biofeedback, hypnosis and behavioural therapy. In a controlled, randomized study (Journal of Orofacial Orthopaedics / Progress in Orthodontics, 04/2002: 259-260), 124 patients with CMD between 18 and 70 years were divided into two groups. One half was treated with patient education, physiotherapy, splint therapy and medication, the other with three three-hour information sessions, instructions for stress management, relaxation procedures and an individually developed home exercise program. The success of the therapies was compared after six weeks and six and twelve months. It was shown that the patients from the home exercise group performed significantly better in almost all parameters at all times. (Source: zahnlexikon-online.de)
Craniomandibular system
The Craniomandibular System (CMS) encompasses all organs, muscles and nerves of the head and shoulder area that work closely together. Incorrect strain on the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joints, but also incorrect posture of the support and holding apparatus can lead to painful symptoms.
Organs of the head and shoulders:
Central switching organ (brain, pulse networking via sensors and nerves)
Dysgnathia
Dysgnathia is a summary of the malformations of the teeth, jaws and / or the chewing system. The anomalies can affect the position of the teeth, the teeth, the shape of the jaw, the position of the jaws in relation to each other or the installation of the jaws in the skull and, as a result, can cause aesthetic and functional impairments
Functional analysis / functional dentition analysis
Examination to determine or exclude malfunctions in the chewing organ
gnathology
Teaching of the jaw, in particular its functions; Treatments from a gnathological point of view take into account the teeth, but also the structures surrounding them, the muscles, ligaments and bony parts, such as the temporomandibular joint. The structures and functions are examined. (Source: gzfa.de)
malocclusion
If the teeth are not correctly connected to each other, the lower jaw automatically shifts to a new position when closing to compensate for the misalignment of the teeth. This results in the state of malocclusion.
occlusion
The contact of the teeth of the upper jaw with those of the lower jaw. The contact points form the occlusal plane.
A distinction is made between: Static occlusion – tooth contacts without movement of the lower jaw. The static occlusion is divided into habitual, centric and maximum occlusion. Dynamic occlusion – tooth contacts that result from movement of the lower jaw. The dynamic occlusion is divided into anterior guidance, canine guidance and group guidance
orthodontics
The field of dentistry that deals with the treatment of misaligned teeth.
Temporomandibular joint
The human temporomandibular joint lies in a hollow at the base of the skull just in front of the bony ear canal. It is a rotating sliding joint that is surrounded by a joint capsule. The temporomandibular joint is the only joint in the body that can move in 3 axial directions. (Source: cmd-zahaerzte.com)
TMJ
are considered the most common cause of atypical and unexplained symptoms. The following symptoms occur as a result of temporomandibular disorders: Neck complaints, migraines, tinnitus, fibromyalgia or psychosomatic disorders
A typical day in the office. You are busy, you are running behind and your hygiene patient says, “Doctor I have a sore jaw, and it clicks”. You know that you have NO time to deal with this. And all too often the patient is told “you need a night guard”.
What is the hinge axis? Any three dimensional object that rotates does so around a central axis. In the case of the mandible we have two condyles joined by a rigid body (the mandible). Location of the hinge axis of the mandible can be used diagnostically (electronic Condylography, and hinge axis transfer of study casts to an articulator).
VieSID Canada Mini-Residency 2024 finished in June. Our exceptional students spent 15 days in 3-5 day modules studying Occlusal Medicine and Functional Dentistry
Professor Rudolph Slavicek emphasized the importance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as part of his gnathologic triad concept. It is critical that we consider the occlusion, the muscles and the TMJ in all of our diagnostics and treatments as they must exist in harmony with each other
What is the “elephant in the room”? The question we receive most is why should I take programs from VieSID? our comprehensive hands-on programs offer extensive training that benefits all dentists and applies to every procedure completed.
In previous blogs we have discussed our patient interview, and clinical examination. To have a thorough understanding of the stomatognathic system it is essential to palpate the muscles that are responsible for creating movements that allow function to occur. Mastication, swallowing, speech, bruxism and respiration are the main functions that we need to consider.
