Contact Areas
What is a proximal contact area?
where the teeth touch in the arch touch
What are embrasures?
The spaces formed by the interproximal contours of adjacent teeth
The cervical line curvature is also referred to as?
CEJ
What is the height of contour?
Line encircling a tooth at it's greatest bulge or diameter
Where are contact areas larger?
Posterior
What are the 4 embrasures?
Facial, lingual, occlusal/incisal, cervical/gingival
What is the direction of curvature from a facial/lingual view vs a proximal view?
F/L curves apically while proximal curves incisally or occlusally
Where do you view the facial and lingual height of contour?
proximal view
Anterior contact areas are centered in what direction?
F-L direction
Why do cervical/gingival embrasures decrease in size from anterior to posterior?
What does the depth of curvature on the proximal surface depend on?
Height of the contact area and the diameter of the crown F-L
What is the purpose of the height of contour?
allows for proper food deflection
Contact areas move in what directions as you move posteriorly?
facially and cervically
What is the difference between cervical and gingival embrasures?
The interdental papilla fills the interproximal space for gingival embrasures but does not for cervical embrasures
Why is the depth of curvature on the proximal surface greater on anterior teeth than posterior teeth?
Anterior teeth are narrower F-L but longer I-C
Where is the lingual HOC of posterior teeth?
middle 1/3
Why are distal contacts more cervically located than the mesial?
cervicoincisal/occlusal length of teeth decrease as you move posteriorly
Why are facial and lingual anterior embrasures equal in size?
Anterior contact areas are centered in a F/L direction
What teeth have the greatest mesial depth of curvature?
Maxillary Central Incisors
Where is the proximal HOC found?
Always found at the contact areas