Occlusion
Definition
The way upper and lower teeth meet when the jaw closes. Occlusal wear patterns, class I/II/III relationships, and individual facets on specific cusps are recorded in charting and compared ante-mortem to post-mortem.
- Field
- Dental anatomy, forensic odontology
- Definition
- How upper and lower teeth meet when the jaw closes
- Classification
- Class I, II, III occlusal relationships
- Forensic use
- Charted and compared ante-mortem to post-mortem records
Common questions
Why are individual wear facets on specific cusps useful beyond the general occlusion class?+
General occlusion class describes the overall bite relationship shared by many people, but individual wear facets reflect a person's specific chewing pattern, tooth alignment quirks and habits over years, making them a more discriminating feature when comparing ante-mortem dental records to remains.
How does occlusion analysis contribute to bite mark comparison distinct from individual tooth shape?+
The way opposing teeth meet affects how force is distributed and which teeth make contact first or hardest during a bite, so occlusal relationships help explain the overall pattern and depth distribution seen in a bite mark, complementing but not replacing comparison of individual tooth characteristics.
Can occlusion change over a person's lifetime in ways that complicate ante-mortem to post-mortem comparison?+
Yes, tooth loss, orthodontic treatment, restorative work and continued wear can shift occlusal relationships over years, so examiners weigh the age and source of ante-mortem records carefully and look for corroborating features less likely to have changed, such as restorations or root morphology.
Related terms
- Cementum
- A thin, bone-like mineralised tissue that covers the external surface of the tooth root. Deposited incrementally throughout life in alternating translucent and...
- Crown
- The visible portion of a tooth above the gum line, covered by enamel. In forensic charting, crown morphology, restorations, and wear patterns...
- Deciduous Dentition
- The first set of 20 teeth, also called primary or milk teeth, that erupt from approximately six months and are progressively replaced...
- Dentine
- The mineralised tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, surrounding the pulp chamber and root canal. Contains a network of dentinal tubules,...
- Enamel
- The outermost layer of the tooth crown, formed by ameloblasts before tooth eruption. Composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite mineral by weight. Acellular...