Anatomy and Biodynamics Applied to the Temporomandibular Joint Complex

Vocabulary flashcards on dental anatomy, tooth topography, biodynamics, occlusal curves, and arch shapes from Prosthodontics I.

An anatomical system comprising teeth, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles, ligaments, and craniofacial bones that function together during mastication, occlusion, and disocclusion.

Stomatognathic System

A type of root anchorage extending vertically into the alveolar bone, typical of anterior teeth, designed to withstand lateral (vestibulopalatal) loads.

Deep Insertion

A type of root anchorage characterized by broader and shallower bone contact, typical of posterior teeth, designed to resist vertical (occlusoapical) forces.

Surface Insertion

The proportional relationship between clinical crown length and embedded root length, traditionally $1:2$ for anterior teeth and $1:1$ for posterior teeth, governing resistance to tangential forces.

Crown-to-Root Ratio

The functional occlusal area of a tooth extending from the contact point to the base of a fossa.

Infracontact Zone

The functional occlusal area of a tooth extending from the contact point to the apex of a cusp.

Supracontact Zone

An occlusal curvature in the sagittal plane defined as an imaginary line joining the vestibulodistal cusp of the lower second molar with the cuspid tip of the lower canine.

Curve of Spee

An occlusal curvature in the frontal plane formed by the alignment of posterior dental microplanes, extending from the canine to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Curve of Wilson

The horizontal crossover or distance between upper and lower incisors, normally measuring between $1.5\,\text{mm}$ and $2.5\,\text{mm}$.

Overjet

The vertical crossover or distance by which the upper anterior incisal edges overlap the lower anterior teeth, normally measuring between $2\,\text{mm}$ and $4\,\text{mm}$.

Overbite

The most common dental arch form, found in $85\%$ of cases (especially in the maxilla), characterized by curved anterior sectors and convergent posterior sectors.

Ovoid Arch Shape

A dental arch form common in the lower jaw where the anterior curvature is narrower than in an ovoid arch and the posterior sectors are divergent.

Parabolic Arch Shape

A dental arch form where the anterior group forms a nearly straight curve and the posterior sectors are parallel to each other.

U-Shaped Arch

The region of occlusal stability where opposing muscular forces exerted by the tongue, lips, and cheeks are in equilibrium, resulting in a net force of zero.

Neutral Space

The biomechanical equilibrium of an individual tooth maintained by normal contact with its adjacent proximal teeth and opposing antagonist teeth.

Godon Balance

A forensic guideline quantifying tooth value based on Aesthetic, Phonetic, and Masticatory Importance, assigning the highest masticatory value ($100$) to the first molar.

Dueñas Tooth Evaluation Table

An evaluation guide rating teeth on Masticatory Efficiency ($1\text{--}4$) and Aesthetic Importance ($0\text{--}6$).

Álvaro Doria Tooth Valuation

The dental functional pattern in the maxillary arch where buccal cusps perform cutting actions and palatal cusps perform grinding actions during mastication.

Maxillary Cusp Functions