Which term describes occlusal contact between maxillary and mandibular teeth on the side opposite the direction of mandibular movement?

• A. Working occlusal interference
• B. Non-working occlusal interference
• C. Centric occlusal interference
• D. Occlusal trauma

Answer: (B)

During lateral jaw movement, the mandible shifts toward a working side, so the opposite side is the non-working side and should ideally have no contact. When teeth on that non-working side contact and create a premature interference that disrupts the smooth path of movement, this is called a non-working occlusal interference. It’s distinct from a working interference, which occurs on the side toward which the jaw moves and can interfere with the path on that moving side. Centric occlusal interference would involve contacts that disrupt the jaw in its centric position, and occlusal trauma refers to tissue damage from occlusion in a broader sense. Thus, the described scenario best fits non-working occlusal interference.