The understanding the nature of occlusal tooth contacts of natural dentition is important for correct diagnosis and treatment of diseases developed in stomatognatic system. Several investigator have studied the distribution of tooth contacts in maximum intercuspation and have repored contact locations with respect to the tooth position. However, there are few report the variation of the occlusal contact point with change in each head position.
This study analysed the number of occlusal contact point with change in each head position.
30 subject(male 17, female 13), who had natural occlusion and no symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, were selected. The numbers and patterns of tooth contact were recorded by silicone bite registration on stone model at four different head positions with head anguration gauge(from the supine to the upright position).
The results obtained were as follows:
1. The numbers of total occlusal contact point on teeth increased to average 25, 29, 35, 42 points as head angulation was changed from the supine to the upright position against the ala-tragus line, and there was significant difference (P<0.05)
2. In the 19 subject(65%) of total 30 subject, the perforated point of the silicone bite indicated that the locus for the prime contact point moved mesially as the head angulation was changed from the supine to the upright position.
3. On the basis of the fact that the anterior occlusal contact point increase as head angulation changed from the supine to the upright position,we could find that the mandibular position is moved anteriorly.
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