Intraocclusal distance between the anterior teeth in intercuspal position.

We recorded intercuspal occlusal contacts using silicone for 20 subjects with complete dentition maintaining their masseter muscle contraction levels at 10 and 30% of maximum EMG activity. A computer-aided video system was used to read the silicone image and translate the intensity of transmitted light to the thickness corresponding to the distance between opposing teeth. The intraocclusal distance was greater in the anterior than in the posterior teeth. The intraocclusal distance in the canines was intermediate between that in the incisors and posterior teeth. Although these tendencies were the same at the 10 and 30% EMG levels, an increase in the EMG level decreased all the distances.