Anterior/canine guidance - prevalence, clinical parameters, and value for prosthetic restorations

Over the past 20 years, occlusal guidance patterns have been investigated using various approaches with regard to their significance for masticatory function. These patterns undoubtedly require reevaluation with respect to more traditional occlusal concepts. Anterior/canine-guided occlusion, for instance, does not have the highest prevalence among laterotrusive tooth guidance patterns and therefore cannot be regarded as a dominant occlusal pattern. With this occlusal pattern, however, the prevalence of noncarious cervical defects seems to be lower than with other occlusal patterns, such as group guidance. The absence of anterior/canine-guided occlusion is not associated with the occurrence of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). As a result, occlusal rehabilitation on the basis of this occlusal guidance pattern does not constitute a variation of TMD therapy, nor does it serve to prevent TMD. For any necessary treatment with prosthetic restorations, the patient's already existing occlusal guidance pattern should primarily be taken into account. In order to protect posterior restorations, anterior/canine-guided occlusal patterns are nevertheless to be recommended in the case of complex prosthetic restorations. Keywords: anterior/canine guidance, laterotrusion, occlusion, temporomandibular dysfunction