Purpose of this study:
The importance of occlusal contacts of the natural dentition for durability of teeth as well for stabilization of the mandible and diagnostic and restorative dentistry is well known.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the occlusal guidance pattern of Koreans by evaluating static occlusion on maximal intercuspal position and measuring dynamic occlusion during the straight protrusion using the shimstock foil, polyvinylsiloxane registration material and computerized T-Scan III system
Materials and Methods:
29 subjects, who had natural occlusion and no symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, were selected. The occlusal guidance pattern during maximal intercuspal position and straight protrusion were recorded with shimstock foil (Whaledent, Langenau, Germany), T-Scan III(Tekscan Inc., Boston, USA), polyvinylpolysiloxane registration material (Genie bite, Sultan healthcare, U.S.A.) and compared.
The position was fixed to upright position and head position was fixed to Frankfurt horizontal plane paralleling to horizontal line. After all subject were trained several times, occlusal registration procedures were repeated 3 times.
Results:
When using shimstock foil, T-Scan III system and polyvinylsiloxane registration material, 73%, 94%, 87%of patients belonged to Type B (contact on anterior, premolar & molar teeth). Approximately 51% of maximal intercuspal position was made in the anterior contact made using shimstock foil. The frequency that maxillary canine joined in maximal intercuspal position was relatively high in the anterior area and lowest frequency of contact was the first premolar in the posterior area.
When examining the protrusive movement using shimstock foil, T-Scan III system, guidance pattern of central incisor guide was the most common.
Conclusion:
According to our results, the greater numbers of contacts in the molar segment confirm as the chief contributor to a stable end stop position for the mandible. During mandibular protusive movements, one or more maxillary central incisors frequently joined in straight protusion and the posterior teeth were disoccluded. Therefore, it can be confirmed that anterior teeth protect the posterior teeth, and vice versa. Thus, mutually protected occlusion should be applied when reconstructing occlusion.

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Key words : occlusal pattern, maximal intercuspal position, protrusive movement, mutually protected occlusion, T-scan Ⅲ system.