Occlusion
Occlusal concepts
Hanau's quint
There are 5 factors that all work together in determining a patient's occlusion:
- Cuspal inclination
- Occlusal plane
- Compensating curve
- Incisal guidance
- Condylar guidance
Of these, all but condylar guidance can be modified prosthetically if enough teeth are under treatment.
Defensive occlusion
We are ardent supporters of defensive occlusal concepts, this is generally accomplished by selecting the simplest option available for each controllable aspects of Hanau's quint that the case allows:
- Minimal cuspal inclination
- A flat occlusal plane(!).
- A compensating curve that allows for bilateral balance.
- Forces shared on as many teeth as possible in protrusive and laterotrusive motions.
Defensive occlusion also means that patients can readily traverse between CR/FSCP and MI or another learned position, if there is a discrepancy between the two.
This radiograph (of a case from a prosthodontist outside of our office) exemplifies defensive occlusion: 
Christensen phenomenon
The Christensen phenomenon is the characteristic of denture occlusions having a posterior open bite in protrusive motion and positions. Unless no overbite is determined, this is unavoidable in denture fabrication. This is why the definitions of occlusal schemes for dentures focus on centric and eccentric movements, not protrusive movements.
References & recommended resources
- Complete Denture Occlusion: Best Evidence Consensus Statement. JPD. 2021.