A criterion for the selection of artificial posterior teeth.

Mandibular movement and masticatory performance were evaluated in the edentulous patients with an experimental denture using posterior artificial teeth of different occlusal schemes in order to determine the criterion for the selection of posterior artificial teeth. Lower masticatory performance was observed with non-anatomic posterior teeth than with semi-anatomic or anatomic ones regardless of the condition of residual ridge and inclination of the horizontal condylar guidance. The value of the lateral component of the masticatory cycle was closely related to the inclination of the cusp and the value of masticatory performance. This suggested strongly that the component could be a criteria for the selection of the type of the artificial posterior teeth.