Occlusal Practice in Restorative Dentistry

Self-Study Examination

Instructions: After studying the text answer the following true/false or multiple choice questions.  Remember, there's only one answer to each question.

1. Successful occlusal management leads to:

a) predictable fitting of restorations and prosthetics
b) longevity
c) patient comfort
d) occlusal stability
e) all of the above

2. The conformative approach to occlusion means that a new restoration may alter the occlusal contacts of other teeth.

a) true
b) false

3. The conformative approach to occlusion is the easiest and safest for dentists to utilize.

a) true
b) false

4. Incline contacts are considered to be potentially harmful because the lateral force that they generate may cause all except:

a) a tooth to fracture
b) mandibular deflection
c) tooth jiggling
d) a tooth to be avulsed

5. The EDEC principle is useful in relation to direct restorations but is not useful with indirect restorations.

a) true
b) false

6. Which of the following is the correct way to check that occlusion is not altered:

a) take careful occlusal measures preoperatively
b) ask the patient if it feels the same
c) compare the occlusion to ideal occlusion guidelines
d) take a frontal picture of the patient smiling

7. When articulating models it is difficult to exactly duplicate the mouth because:

a) the impressions may not be perfect
b) the soft tissue areas may impede the models from coming together completely
c) the models often shift when the plaster dries
d) the bite registration material often shrinks
e) both a and b

8. Model grooming is the title given to the process of adjusting the models so that they more accurately reflect the occlusal contacts that patients have in their real dentition.

a) true
b) false

9. If an error is detected in the models, model grooming is never a good option to correct the problem.

a) true
b) false

10. Which of the following is not acceptable for a temporary restoration:

a) a good fit
b) allow movement of the prepared tooth
c) comfortable for the patient
d) duplicates the patient’s occlusion

11. Deflecting contacts guide the mandible into the jaw relationship.

a) true
b) false

12. Reasons to not use the conformative approach include all except:

a) an increase in vertical height is desired
b) a tooth is significantly out of occlusion
c) a significant change in appearance is desired
d) extensive preoperative occlusal records were taken

13. A reorganized occlusion may result in:

a) TMJ disorder
b) hypersensitivity
c) occlusal trauma to periodontal tissues
d) all of the above

14. An ideal occlusion will provide:

a) very few simultaneous contacts
b) no cuspal incline contacts
c) occlusal contacts that are not in line with the long axis of the tooth
d) deep guidance contacts
e) posterior interferences

15. It is possible to make comprehensive rules for the management of every clinical situation.

a) true
b) false

16. In order to achieve an ideal occlusion, it may be necessary to include:

a) provisional restorations
b) orthodontic adjustment
c) extractions
d) all of the above

17. A flag on the articulator is helpful in designing the occlusion in a diagnostic wax up.

a) true
b) false

18. The planning and design phase is completed when:

a) all the records have been taken
b) a complete physical examination is completed
c) the articulated models accurately represent the endpoint of treatment
d) all the restorations have been placed

19. It is unwise to proceed with final restorations until the patient is comfortable with the provisional restorations.

a) true
b) false

20. When setting up a custom incisal bite table, one should lift the incisal pin clear of the incisal guide table by about:

a) 1 mm
b) 2 mm
c) 4 mm
d) 6 mm

21. Reorganization of a patient’s occlusion is:

a) difficult challenge for the restorative team
b) dependent on the skill of the clinician
c) dependent on the skill of the technicians
d) dependent on the clinician’s planning