Obtaining measurable bilateral simultaneous occlusal contacts with computer-analyzed and guided occlusal adjustments

Numerous authors and textbooks have advocated the concept of bilateral simultaneous occlusal contacts as one of the necessary components of an optimum occlusal condition. All occluding surfaces should meet at the same moment of time during a mandibular closure. Articulating paper labeling that appeared widely distributed throughout the arch was thought to represent this advocated occlusal condition. However, computerized occlusal analysis shows that true bilateral occlusal contact time simultaneity is not accurately represented by widespread paper labeling. Articulating paper labeling is an inadequate indicator of perceived occlusal contact time simultaneity as it renders no occlusal contact force or time sequencing. When occlusal adjustments are guided by computerized occlusal analysis, occlusal contacts on all potentially occluding teeth can be approximated to occur within .2 second. This technique report describes a clinical procedure that employs computerized occlusal analysis to guide sequential occlusal adjustments to obtain measurable bilateral occlusal contact simultaneity. Additionally, the phenomenon of how articulator paper labeling can be a misleading indicator of occlusal contact timing and force content is presented.