Orofacial Complex Form And Function Question And Answers

Orofacial Complex: Form And Function

Question 1. Orofacial Complex Contact areas/points.
Answer:

• These are small circular/oval areas on the proximal surfaces where two adjacent teeth contact/meet each other.
• When the contact of two teeth involves a small area, it is termed as a contact point and when the contact of two teeth involves a larger area, it is termed as a contact area.

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• All teeth except the last molar have two contacting members.
• The last molar is in contact only with the tooth mesial to it.

Orofacial Complex Significance:

• It serves to keep food from packing between the teeth.
• It helps to stabilize the dental arches.
• The third molar is prevented from drifting distally.

Question 2. Interproximal spaces.
Answer:

• These are spaces between the teeth
• They are triangular-shaped spaces with the base being an alveolar process, the sides of the triangle are the proximal surfaces of the contacting teeth, and the apex is in the area of contact.

Interproximal spaces Factors affecting it:

• The form of teeth in contact
• The relative position of the contact area.

Interproximal spaces Significance:

• It helps to maintain gingival tissues against trauma during mastication and invasion by bacteria.

Question 3. Embrasures (spillway) spaces.
Answer:

• When two teeth in the same arch are in contact, their curvatures adjacent to the contact areas form spillway spaces called embrasures.

• In all directions from the contact areas, the curving surfaces of the crown diverge away from each other forming embrasures like buccal embrasure, lingual embrasure, incisal or occlusal embrasure.

Embrasures (spillway) spaces Functions:

• Provides a spillway for food during mastication.
• Prevents food from being forced through the contact area.
• Make the teeth more self-cleansing.