Occlusal Schemes and Philosophies in Full Mouth Rehabilitation - A Review

Occlusion restoration in patients with mutilated dentition is a difficult situation because each case is unique. Due to widely divergent opinions regarding the selection of an appropriate occlusal scheme, reconstructing worn - out dentition is complicated. Understanding the factors that influence the pattern or contours of occluding tooth surfaces is beneficial when planning for the maintenance of oral health and function. This is true whether we are preserving natural dentition or providing prosthesis for partially or fully edentulous patients. The goal of full mouth rehabilitation is not only to reconstruct and restore the worn out dentition, but also to maintain the overall health of the stomatognathic system. Full mouth rehabilitation should restore a state of functional and biological efficiency in which teeth and their periodontal structures, masticatory muscles, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mechanisms all function together in synchronous harmony. The aim of this article is to review briefly the various occlusal concepts, forms and schemes and philosophies in reconstructing worn out dentition to help overcome various difficulties occurring during full mouth rehabilitation.