Occlusion Principles & Articulators
Occlusal Curves
- Curve of Spee — the antero-posterior curvature of the occlusal plane.
- Curve of Wilson — the mediolateral (side-to-side) curvature.
Mandibular Movements
Bennett movement = lateral bodily shift of the mandible; the Bennett angle is the angle of the non-working condyle's path. Working vs non-working (balancing) side contacts are key concepts.
Articulators
- Semi-adjustable articulator — most commonly used; reproduces condylar guidance/ Bennett angle within limits.
- Facebow transfers the maxilla-to-hinge-axis relationship to the articulator.
Exam Tips ⭐
Curve of Spee = AP; curve of Wilson = mediolateral; Bennett angle = non-working condyle path; semi-adjustable = most used.