Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: occlusal considerations and articulator selection.

For many dentists, occlusion carries an air of mystique. It even seems sometimes that a perverse pleasure is derived in making the whole subject more complicated than it really is. As a clinician, you need to be able to decide what you expect from your proposed restoration, and to identify situations where you may need to alter the existing occlusal scheme. At a fundamental level, you also need to provide the laboratory with appropriate clinical records to ensure that when you fit them, adjustments to the expensively prepared restorations are minimal. This requires a sound understanding of the basics.