Number of occlusal contacts during maximum intercuspation in dentate adults: A systematised review

Background Evaluating occlusal contacts during maximum intercuspation is one of the requirements for guiding clinicians during occlusal corrections and has been a topic of considerable importance for researchers over many decades. Objective This systematised review intends to evaluate the average number of occlusal contacts present in dentate adults, as documented within the dental literature over the past four decades (1980s–2022). Methodology Electronic searches were conducted in three databases (PubMed, Livivo and Ovid) using a combination of search words. Results A total of 651 records were identified through PubMed and another 37 records through Livivo and Ovid databases. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant records, 168 records were screened. Full texts of 61 articles remained, out of which 18 relevant papers that presented occlusal contacts in quantifiable value were considered. Various occlusal indicators, such as articulating paper, wax sheets, shimstock foil, impression material, gnathodynamometers and digital occlusal analysis systems, were used to evaluate occlusal contacts. The number of occlusal contacts widely ranged from 11 to 70. These variations likely depends upon the type and technique of occlusal indicator used, diversity among sampled populations and differing data collection procedures. Conclusion Different methods of identifying occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position yield different numbers and patterns of contacts, depending on the nature and physical properties of the indicators used. Evaluating occlusal contacts during maximum intercuspation is one of the requirements for guiding clinicians during occlusal corrections and has been a topic of considerable importance for researchers over many decades. In this review we attempted to evaluate the average number of occlusal contacts during maximum intercuspation in dentate adults, which widely ranged from 11 to 70 depending on the nature and physical properties of occlusal indicators used. Considering this wide variation of occlusal contact distribution reported by various authors for this review, it can be concluded that there is no ideal theoretical concept or an acceptable gold standard for a number of occlusal contacts present during maximum intercuspation. More clinical studies and research is required on this important aspect of occlusion.