Which occlusion should be avoided in complete denture fabrication due to risk of dislodgment?

Which occlusion should be avoided in complete denture fabrication due to risk of dislodgment?

• A. Bilateral balanced occlusion
• B. Mutually protected occlusion
• C. Unilateral occlusion
• D. Anterior guidance

Answer: (C)

Unilateral occlusion should be avoided in complete denture fabrication because it concentrates all the occlusal load on one side, creating a tipping force that can lift the denture off the supporting tissues and lead to dislodgement during function. Dentures stay stable when there are balanced contacts on both sides, distributing forces and resisting tipping. Bilateral balanced occlusion helps maintain that stability across centric and eccentric movements. Concepts like mutually protected occlusion or anterior guidance come from natural dentition and aim to protect teeth during excursions, but they don’t provide the same level of denture stability as a balanced bilateral contact pattern.

Unilateral occlusion should be avoided in complete denture fabrication because it concentrates all the occlusal load on one side, creating a tipping force that can lift the denture off the supporting tissues and lead to dislodgement during function. Dentures stay stable when there are balanced contacts on both sides, distributing forces and resisting tipping. Bilateral balanced occlusion helps maintain that stability across centric and eccentric movements. Concepts like mutually protected occlusion or anterior guidance come from natural dentition and aim to protect teeth during excursions, but they don’t provide the same level of denture stability as a balanced bilateral contact pattern.