This document discusses occlusion in removable partial dentures. It outlines several types of occlusion including static and dynamic occlusion. Desirable occlusal contacts are bilateral contacts of posterior teeth in centric occlusion. Methods for establishing occlusion include direct apposition of casts if enough teeth remain, interocclusal records with posterior teeth, or using occlusal rims. The functionally generated path method can also be used to develop a dynamic occlusion record without an articulator. Proper occlusion is important for the success, comfort and longevity of removable partial dentures.

1. OCCLUSION IN
REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTURES
BY:Dr.PrathameshFulsundar
(MDS–Prostodontics)

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Occlusion
 Types of occlusion
 Desirable occlusal contacts for RPD
 Methods for establishing occlusal relations
• Direct apposition of casts
• Inter-occlusal records with posterior teeth remaining
 Occlusal relations using occlusion rims on record bases
• Methods of recording jaw relations
 Conclusion
 References

3. OCCLUSION IN RPD

4.  When treating a patient with a removable partial denture, the
natural and artificial teeth, both functionally and esthetically,
must co-exist in a harmonious relationship.
 Occlusal harmony between a removable partial denture and the
remaining natural teeth is a major factor in preservation of the
surrounding structures.
 In removable partial dentures, because of the attachment of the
denture to abutment teeth, occlusal stresses can be transmitted
directly to the abutment teeth and other supporting structures,
which results in sustained stresses that may be more damaging
than those transient stresses found in complete dentures.
INTRODUCTION

5.  Failure to provide and maintain adequate occlusion on the
removable partial denture is primarily a result of
1. Lack of support for the denture base.
2. Failure in establishing occlusion to a single static jaw
relation record.
3. Unacceptable occlusal plane.
INTRODUCTION

6.  Establishment of a satisfactory occlusion for the removable
partial denture patient should include the following:
1. Analysis of the existing occlusion
2. Correction of existing occlusal disharmony
3. Recording of centric relation or an adjusted centric occlusion
4. Harmonizing of eccentric jaw movements for a functional
eccentric occlusion
5. Correction of occlusal discrepancies created by the fit of the
framework and during processing of the removable partial
denture.
INTRODUCTION

7.  The restoration of the lost vertical dimension of occlusion.
 Occlusal harmony with the remaining natural teeth.
 Improvement in mesio-distal cuspal relationships when
some mandibular position other than centric relation has been
acquired or forced because of malocclusions resulting from
loss of teeth.
 The correction of mandibular rotation occurring as a result
of unilateral loss of posterior teeth.
OBJECTIVES OF OCCLUSION
REHABILITATION
IN RPD

8. DEFINITION
 Occlusion can be defined as the static relationship between the
incising or masticating surfaces of the maxillary or mandibular
teeth.” (GPT 9)
 Occlusion is discussed into-
 STATIC RELATIONS
 DYNAMIC RELATIONS

9. STATIC RELATION:-
Static relation in occlusion are those which occur in many
possible contacts of teeth without interposition of food.
Static relations in occlusion include
Centric occlusion
Protrusive occlusion
Right& left lateral occlusion
Intermediate occlusion

10. DYNAMIC RELATION:-
•It is primarily concerned with opening and closing movements
involved in mastication while static concept is concerned
primarily with tooth contacts made at various positions.
•In this concept, Jaw movements and tooth contacts are made as
teeth of one jaw glide over teeth of opposing jaw and are not
functional movements or contacts.
•This phase of occlusion is admitted to be controlled by TMJ,
muscles, ligaments and teeth.
It is influenced by:
TMJ
Musculature (contraction and relaxation times of muscle)
Resistance of food and relative tolerance of supporting tissues.
Occlusal plane
Occlusal form of teeth

11. BALANCED ARTICULATION exists when there is bilateral,
simultaneous, anterior and posterior occlusal contact of teeth in centric and
eccentric positions.
CANINE-PROTECTED ARTICULATION is a form of mutually
protected articulation in which the vertical and horizontal overlap of the
canine teeth disengage the posterior teeth in the excursive movements of
the mandible.
MUTUALLY PROTECTED ARTICULATION is an occlusal scheme
in which the posterior teeth prevent excessive contact of the anterior teeth
in maximum intercuspation, and the anterior teeth disengage the posterior
teeth in all mandibular excursive movements.

12. GROUP FUNCTION exists when there are multiple contact relations
between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in lateral movements on the
working side whereby simultaneous contact of several teeth acts as a group to
distribute occlusal forces.
LINGUALIZED OCCLUSION is a form of denture occlusion that
articulates the maxillary lingual cusps with the mandibular occlusal surfaces in
centric, working and nonworking mandibular positions.
MONOPLANE ARTICULATION is the arrangement by which teeth are
positioned in a single plane.

13. 1. Simultaneous bilateral contacts of opposing posterior teeth
must occur in centric occlusion.
2. Occlusion for tooth-supported removable partial dentures may
be arranged similarly to the occlusion seen in a harmonious
natural dentition, because stability of such prosthesis results
from the effects of direct retainers at both ends of the denture
base.
DESIRABLE OCCLUSAL CONTACT
RELATIONSHIPS FOR RPD

14. 3. Bilateral balanced occlusion in eccentric positions should be
formulated when a maxillary complete denture opposes the
removable partial denture. This is accomplished primarily to
promote the stability of the complete denture.

15. 4. Working side contacts should be obtained for the mandibular
distal extension denture. These contacts should occur
simultaneously with working side contacts of the natural
teeth to distribute the stress over the greatest possible area.

16. 5. Simultaneous working and balancing contacts should be
formulated for the maxillary bilateral distal extension
removable partial denture whenever possible.

17. 6. Only working contacts need to be formulated for the
maxillary or mandibular unilateral distal extension
removable partial denture.
Balancing side contacts would not enhance the stability of
the denture because it is entirely tooth supported on the
balancing side.

18. 7. In the Kennedy Class IV removable partial denture
configuration, contact of opposing anterior teeth in the
planned inter cuspal position is desired to prevent
continuous eruption of the opposing natural incisors.
Contact of the opposing anterior teeth in eccentric positions
can be developed to enhance incisive function but should be
arranged to permit balanced occlusion without excursive
interferences.

19. 8. Artificial posterior teeth should not be arranged farther
distally than the beginning of a sharp upward incline of the
mandibular residual ridge or over the retromolar pad.
A harmonious relationship of opposing occlusal and incisal
surfaces alone is not adequate to ensure stability of distal
extension removable partial dentures.
Bilateral eccentric contact of the mandibular distal extension
removable partial denture need not be formulated to stabilize the
denture. The buccal cusps, however, must be favorably placed to
direct stress toward the buccal shelf, which is the primary support
area in the mandibular arch.

20. In such positions, the denture is not subjected to excessive
tilting forces.
On the other hand, the artificial teeth of the bilateral, distal
extension, maxillary removable partial denture often must be
placed lateral to the crest of the residual ridge.

21. 1. If there are sufficient number of teeth-
 Direct apposition of the casts
 Interocclusal record with posterior teeth remaining using
interocclusal wax record.
2. If there is no sufficient number of teeth-
 Occlusal relation using occlusal rims on recorded bases.
 Jaw relation records made entirely on occlusal rims.
 Functionally generated path method (dynamic occlusion).
METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING OCCLUSAL
RELATIONSHIPS

22.  It is used when sufficient opposing teeth remain in contact to
make the existing jaw relation, or when only a few teeth are to
be replaced on short denture bases and no evidence of occlusal
abnormalities is found.
 If there are:
 at least 3-4 positive contacts between the posterior natural
teeth at each arch and the upper and lower casts can be
opposed by hands against each other.
 sticky wax and softened-metal reinforced wafer.
1- DIRECT APPOSITION OF CASTS

23. • ADVANTAGE: Avoid errors from patients.
• DISADVANTAGE: the existing vertical dimension must be
followed

24. 2- INTEROCCLUSAL RECORDS WITH POSTERIOR
TEETH REMAINING
 It is a modification of the direct apposition of casts method,
used when sufficient natural teeth remain to support the
removable partial denture (Kennedy Class III or IV) but the
relation of opposing natural teeth does not permit the occluding
of casts by hand

25. A definite procedure for making inter-occlusal wax records is
given as follows:
 A uniformly softened, metal-reinforced wafer of base-plate
or set-up wax is placed between the teeth, and the patient is
guided to close in centric relation.
 Correct closure should have been rehearsed before
placement of the wax so that the patient will not hesitate or
deviate in closing.
 The wax then is removed and immediately chilled
thoroughly in room-temperature water.
 It should be replaced a second time to correct the distortion
that results from chilling and then again chilled after
removal.

26.  All excess wax should now be removed with a sharp knife.
The chilled wax record again should be replaced to make
sure that no contact with soft tissue occurs
Three important details to be observed:
1. Make sure that the occlusion is satisfactory before
making the interocclusal record.
2. Be sure that the casts are accurate reproductions of the
teeth being recorded.
3. Trim the record with a sharp knife wherever it engages
undercuts, soft tissue, or deep grooves.

27. 3- OCCLUSAL RELATIONS USING OCCLUSAL
RIMS ON RECORD BASES
Indications:
• In case of distal extension areas.
• If tooth-supported edentulous space is large
• No contact between opposing natural teeth.
 In these instances, occlusion rims on accurate record bases must
be used. Simple wax records of edentulous areas are never
acceptable.

28. 4- METHODS OF RECORDING JAW RELATIONS
Making the Record Block:
 After carefully verifying the fit and occlusion of the RPD
framework intra-orally and after performing the altered cast
procedure, an auto polymerizing acrylic resin base is usually
attached to the framework saddle areas. A base-plate wax
base may also be formed.

29.  A wax occlusal rim is then placed over the
resin base, while considering the width
and height dimensions of the natural
missing teeth

30.  The framework with the attached record block is first tried
in the mouth for reconfirming the fit of framework.
 The height of the wax occlusal rims are so adjusted
intraorally that 1mm of space exists between the opposing
teeth & the rims.
 For two opposing rims, occlusal plane is adjusted on one of
the rims, e.g., mandibular distal extension wax rim.

32.  Additionally, adjusting the occlusal plane of the
remaining natural teeth may be indicated using
“enameloplasty”.

33.  The patients is instructed to close in maximum intercuspal
Position.
 The rims are reduced in height until it is just out of occlusal
contact.

34.  The recording medium (wax or ZnO paste) is then placed
 The patient is then guided in the desired centric occlusion
position.

35. 5- FUNCTIONALLY GENERATED PATH
(DYNAMIC OCCLUSION)
The functionally generated path is a method of developing
occlusal relationships on simple instrumentation without using a
semi- or fully adjustable articulator that has been programmed to
match the patient’s mandibular movements.
Using the removable partial denture framework as a base, a
dynamic recording of the occlusal patterns is generated in the
patient’s mouth under normal functional conditions.

36. FUNCTIONALLY GENERATED PATH METHOD
PROCEDURE:
 Occlusion rim is created on the base plate using hard inlay wax
and visible gap is left between opposing teeth and the rim
initially.
 Softened inlay wax is added to the rim and the framework is
placed intra-orally.
 Patient is then asked to close in centric occlusion to indent the
soft wax.

37.  It is ensured that all natural teeth are in contact and the
framework is removed when the wax gets hardened. Wax is
softened again and the previous exercise is repeated.
 Now, the patient is instructed to protrude his/her mandible in
forward direction without losing teeth-contact until the incisors
were at edge-to-edge relationship.
 Similarly, the lateral excursive pathways are also recorded for
both right and the left side.
 The patient is instructed to glide the mandible through all
possible excursive movements to ensure capturing all border
movements.

38.  The wax is repeatedly softened between each biting episode.
Once all excursive pathways are recorded, the record is
hardened by keeping under the cold water.
 It is observed that the inlay wax is smoothly carved and
shaped by the stylus action of the opposing maxillary cusps.
MOUNTING OF THE CASTS-
 The record is reseated and secured onto the master cast and
boxing is done with the modeling clay and the modeling wax.

39.  Only wax registration and areas for vertical stops are left
exposed and it is filled with the dental stone to form
occluding template.
 Recording the functionally generated path eliminates the need
to reproduce mandibular movements on the articulator and
hence the mounting is done on a simple three-point (mean
value) articulator.

40. SUMMARY
CLINICAL SITUATION REHABILITATION
Maxillary complete denture
opposes the removable partial
denture
Bilateral balanced occlusion in
eccentric positions
Kennedy Class IV removable
partial denture
Contact of opposing anterior teeth
in the planned inter cuspal relation
Maxillary bilateral distal extension
removable partial denture
Simultaneous working and
balancing contacts
Maxillary or mandibular unilateral
distal extension removable partial
denture
Only working side contacts

41. CONCLUSION
 For a successful removable partial denture, the occlusal
pattern of the natural teeth should be harmonized with the
temporomandibular joints
 This same occlusal pattern should be incorporated into the
artificial teeth.
 When this procedure is followed, the comfort, efficiency,
and longevity of the removable partial denture is greatly
enhanced.

42. REFERENCES
 McCracken, W. L.: Functional Occlusion in Removable Partial
Denture Construction, J. PROS. DEN. 8:955-963, 1958.
 Stewart K L, Rudd K D, Kuebker W A, Stewart’s Clinical
Removable Partial Prosthodontics. 3rd ed.
 Jeffreys FE, Platner RL. Occlusion in removable partial
dentures. J Prosthet Dent 1960;10:912-920.
 John R. Ivanhoe, DDS* , Kevin D. Plummer, DDS, Removable
partial denture occlusion, Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 667–683
 Davis Henderson, D.D.S., Occlusion in removable partial
prosthodontics J. Pro&et. Dent. February. 197’2

43. Thank you