What Is the Meaning of Occlusal in Dental Terms?

The occlusal surface is the biting or chewing surface of a tooth. It generally refers to posterior (back) teeth, not front teeth.

Function

• The occlusal surface of a tooth is the surface that grinds during chewing, beginning the digestion process before food reaches the stomach.

Trauma

• Occlusal trauma refers to teeth that are misaligned, resulting in pain when biting down. Misalignment can have many causes, including injury to the jaw or a temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, disorder. Consult a dentist if you feel pain in any part of your teeth.

Damage

• The occlusal surface of a tooth can wear down by excessive chewing or grinding. A night guard can help prevent grinding while sleeping. The occlusal surface can be worn down as a person ages. Occlusal wear on a tooth can be used in forensics to determine the age of a person.

Care

• The occlusal surface of a tooth is frequently damaged by decay, and a dentist has to repair and fill the decayed areas to prevent further damage. Proper dental hygiene can prevent decay, so it is important to take care of teeth with daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing.

Fun Fact

• "Occlusal" can refer to any closure surface, but the term is seldom used outside of dentistry.