Ch5 Form & Function

Question 1

Fundamental curvatures

Answer 1

1. Proximal Contact Areas
2. Interproximal space
3. Embrasures
4. Facial/Lingual Contours at cervical 3rd & Lingual Contours at Middle thirds of crowns
5. Height of Epithelial attachment: Curves of CEJ Mesially and Distally

Question 2

Function of proximal contact areas

Answer 2

1. Serves to keep food from packing between teeth

2. Stabilizes dental arches by combined anchorage of all teeth in either arch in positive contact w/ eachother.

Question 3

Contact areas must be observed, in what aspects?

Answer 3

1. Buccal or Lingual aspect

2. Incisal or occlusal aspect

Question 4

What follows food impaction between teeth?

Answer 4

-Pathological -> Gingivitis or Periodontitis

Question 5

What happens with excessive occlusal forces?

Answer 5

-Occurs when normal forces are no longer distributed over several teeth, when there are lost teeth, or supporting structures due to disease

Question 6

What prevents drifting distally of third molars?

Answer 6

-angulation of occlusal surfaces w/ their roots and by angle of occlusion forces in their favor

Question 7

What are interproximal spaces? Describe.

Answer 7

• Triangular-shaped spaces filled with gingival tissue (gingival papillae)
• Base: alveolar process
• Sides: contacting teeth surfaces
• Apex: area of contact

Question 8

What is important to remember about proper contact and alignment of adjoining teeth?

Answer 8

-Allows proper spacing between them for the normal bulk of gingival tissue attached to the bone and teeth.

Question 9

What helps maintain tissues against trauma during mastication and bacteria invasion?

Answer 9

• surface keratinization of gingiva
• density
• elasticity

Question 10

What are embrasures?

Where can they be found?

Answer 10

• spillway spaces in between contact areas of teeth
• Labial/buccal or Lingually
• Incisal/Occlusal

Question 11

What are 2 purposes do embrasures serve?

Answer 11

1. Spillway for food at mastication, reducing forces on teeth during reduction of material that offers resistance.
2. Prevents food impaction

Question 12

Where is Anterior Contact found?

Answer 12

-incisal third

Question 13

Where is Posterior Contact found?

Answer 13

-middle third

Question 14

Contours/curves on cervical and middle thirds of crown of facial and lingual are important because?

Answer 14

-If molar shows little or no curvature, there is possibility for food impaction.

Question 15

What is the cervical third formation of the crown?

Answer 15

• area of soft tissue attachment of epithelia.

- cervical ridge = cervical curvature

Question 16

Describe the epithelial attachment.

Answer 16

-Seals the soft tissue to the tooth, capable of adjustment to local physiological changes. But vulnerable to physical injury by careless treatment, probing, improper scaling, tooth prep, etc.