Muscles, Movements, and Occlusion in Dentistry Practice Test

Occlusal contacts are the tooth-to-tooth contacts that happen when the jaw is in a nonfunctional position or during clenching/bruxing—static contacts that occur outside the normal chewing path. Functional contacts, on the other hand, are the contacts that occur during actual use of the teeth in chewing and other normal functions, so they are dynamic and guided by mandibular movements.

Understanding this distinction helps explain why a patient can have contacts that feel “off” when the jaw is simply closed or held still (occlusal), versus contacts that occur as the teeth work together during chewing (functional). It’s not limited to sleep, and the idea that there’s no difference between the two misses the fact that they arise from different jaw positions and activities, with different implications for wear, soreness, and restorative planning.