occlusal scheme
The planned pattern of tooth contacts in both centric and excursive jaw movements that guides the design of a prosthetic restoration or full-arch reconstruction.
Full Definition
An occlusal scheme describes the intentional arrangement and type of tooth contacts—including centric stops, anterior guidance, posterior disclusion, and lateral excursive contacts—that a laboratory technician must replicate when fabricating a restoration. Common occlusal schemes include mutually protected occlusion, canine-guided occlusion, and lingualized occlusion. The chosen scheme is communicated via the laboratory prescription and directly governs cusp height, fossa depth, and ridge anatomy in the wax-up or milled design. Editors must not reduce 'occlusal scheme' to 'bite' in formal dental laboratory or scientific writing, as the term carries precise biomechanical meaning.
Usage
Usage note: Do not simplify to 'bite plan' or 'bite scheme' in formal documents. 'Occlusal scheme' is the preferred term in prosthodontic and laboratory literature.
In Context
- "The prescription specified a mutually protected occlusal scheme with canine guidance in lateral excursions." — Laboratory Prescription
- "Changing the occlusal scheme mid-case without updating the articulator settings caused discrepancies in the final ceramic build-up." — Case Review Document