Define Static Occlusion

Static occlusion is a dental term referring to the alignment of the teeth during the time when your jaw is at rest and your upper and lower teeth are in contact.

Identification

• Occlusion is measured when your mouth is at rest and your teeth are lightly clenched together, as is you were taking a bite of something. Since the jaw is not moving, the occlusion is called "static."

Benefits

• Proper occlusion is a key factor in overall health as it impacts how well you can chew, enjoy food and speak.

Appearance

• The result of measuring static occlusion is a determination of whether your teeth are properly aligned. Improper alignment, or malocclusion, causes overbite, underbite or crossbite.

Considerations

• How your teeth come together during static occlusion can be affected by the muscles, nerves and bones in the mouth and by your posture.

Fun Fact

• It might be easy to assume that your jaw and teeth come together at the same angle every time you close your mouth but alignment varies based on whether you are holding your head forward or back, or if you are lying on your side.