Occlusion
In medicine and dentistry, occlusion refers to the meeting or contact between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw when closing the mouth. This phenomenon is crucial for the correct functioning of the masticatory apparatus and influences both a person's ability to chew and speak.
Correct occlusion ensures that the chewing forces are distributed evenly across the rows of teeth, which contributes to the health of
- the teeth,
- the gums and
- the jaw joints.
Incorrect occlusion, also known as malocclusion, can lead to various dental and health problems, including
Misaligned teeth,
temporomandibular joint problems and
headaches.