Rationale and technique for achieving occlusal harmony.

For a patient to function normally with natural or restored dentition, the occlusal contacts should be in harmony with the musculature and the temporomandibular joint. Many times, this harmonious relationship is altered by restorative treatment, periodontal disease or tooth loss. If the adaptive capacity of the patient is less than the forces placed upon the tooth or restoration, failure in one form or another often results. This article presents a rational method the dentist can use to recognize and understand the markings made with articulating paper so that harmonious contacts can be detected and contacts that disturb occlusal harmony eliminated.