Observation on the Main Occluding Area in Mastication

Part III : The Relation between the Main Occluding Area and the Tooth Fracture of the Inlay-restored Tooth

Abstract

In order to clear the functional force loading on the occlusal surface, we explored the relation between the main occluding area and tooth fracture of an inlay-restored tooth. From the observation of 44 cases the following conclusions were obtained:
1. Tooth fracture of an inlay-restored tooth could be classified into two types: fracture at the margin of the inlay (margin fracture), and fracture extending over the cusp (cusp fracture) .
2 . In many cases, tooth fracture occurred at the functional cusp and coincided with the main occluding area; therefore, the main cause of the fracture could be recognized as mastication on the main occluding area.
3 . Care must be taken to the main occluding area when restoring.