CDT Occlusion & Articulation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Bennett movement in mandibular kinematics?
- The vertical drop of the condyle during mouth opening
- The bodily lateral shift of the mandible during lateral excursion (Correct answer)
- The protrusive translation of both condyles forward
- The closing arc of the mandible in terminal hinge position
Correct answer: The bodily lateral shift of the mandible during lateral excursion
The Bennett movement is the bodily lateral shift of the mandible that occurs during lateral excursion, which is important for setting the Bennett angle on adjustable articulators.
Question 2: What distinguishes a semi-adjustable articulator from a fixed average value articulator?
- Semi-adjustable articulators use only fixed average condylar settings
- Semi-adjustable articulators can be customized using interocclusal records (Correct answer)
- Semi-adjustable articulators cannot simulate any lateral movements
- Semi-adjustable articulators require a pantograph for programming
Correct answer: Semi-adjustable articulators can be customized using interocclusal records
Semi-adjustable articulators can be customized using protrusive and lateral interocclusal records to more accurately replicate individual patient mandibular movements.
Question 3: What does the condylar inclination setting on a semi-adjustable articulator simulate?
- The angle of the incisal guidance table relative to the occlusal plane
- The slope of the articular eminence relative to a horizontal reference plane (Correct answer)
- The Bennett movement angle during lateral excursion
- The opening arc of the mandible during mouth opening
Correct answer: The slope of the articular eminence relative to a horizontal reference plane
The condylar inclination simulates the slope of the articular eminence, which guides the condyle downward and forward during protrusive and lateral mandibular movements.
Question 4: In occlusion terminology, what is the working side?
- The side toward which the mandible moves during lateral excursion (Correct answer)
- The non-functional side opposite the direction of chewing
- The side where balancing contacts are located
- The posterior region of the arch during protrusion
Correct answer: The side toward which the mandible moves during lateral excursion
The working side (also called the laterotrusive or functioning side) is the side toward which the mandible moves during lateral excursion.
Question 5: What is a pantograph used for in dental prosthetics?
- Recording the patient's centric occlusion at the correct vertical dimension
- Recording all three-dimensional mandibular movements to program a fully adjustable articulator (Correct answer)
- Measuring the interarch distance for denture construction
- Determining ceramic shade by comparing tooth color under different lights
Correct answer: Recording all three-dimensional mandibular movements to program a fully adjustable articulator
A pantograph records the full three-dimensional movements of the mandible in all excursions, providing the data needed to program a fully adjustable articulator.
Question 6: What is the Christensen phenomenon observed in complete denture occlusion?
- Posterior open spaces that appear between denture teeth during mandibular protrusion (Correct answer)
- An increase in vertical dimension that occurs when new dentures are fabricated
- Color change in denture teeth due to staining over time
- Rotation of posterior denture teeth during lateral excursion
Correct answer: Posterior open spaces that appear between denture teeth during mandibular protrusion
The Christensen phenomenon describes the posterior open spaces between maxillary and mandibular denture teeth during protrusion, requiring compensating curves to achieve posterior balanced occlusion.
Question 7: What is the non-working (balancing) side in lateral occlusion?
- The side toward which the mandible moves during lateral excursion
- The side opposite to the direction of lateral mandibular movement (Correct answer)
- The anterior segment during protrusive movements
- The side bearing the highest number of occlusal contacts
Correct answer: The side opposite to the direction of lateral mandibular movement
The non-working side (mediotrusive or balancing side) is the side opposite to the direction of lateral mandibular movement, where balancing contacts may be designed in complete dentures.
CDT Occlusion & Articulation 2
What is the Bennett movement in mandibular kinematics?