Abstract
In order to clearify the main occludinng area during mastication, we asked three patients who showed food impaction to clench on a temporary stopping. It was found that the main occluding area shifted from the area of the occlusal contact on the inner inclines of the functional cusp of the maxillary and mandibular first molars to the interproximal area in the intercuspal position, thus causing food impaction.
Occlusal reconstruction of the maxillary first molar was carried out and the main occluding area was shifted back to the above-mentioned cusps; In doing so, any further food impaction was prevented.
From the above findings, it became obious that food impaction was caused not only by the reasons discussed by other authors, but also by an inappropriate occlusal relation. Moreover, from the properties of the impacted food, it became clear that the main occluding area during mastication played an important role in chewing fibrous food in addition to hard food.
