Which term best describes the disclusion of posterior teeth during protrusive movement?

Which term best describes the disclusion of posterior teeth during protrusive movement?

• A. Disclusion of posterior teeth
• B. Disclusion on working side
• C. Disclusion on non-working side
• D. Stable occlusion

Answer: (A)

During forward (protrusive) movement, the anterior teeth guide the mandible so that the posterior teeth separate and stop contacting. This separation is described as disclusion of posterior teeth. It reflects how anterior guidance acts to prevent posterior interference when the jaw moves forward. The other phrases refer to disclusion during side-to-side (lateral) movements—in which disclusion may occur on the working or non-working side—or to occlusion that remains stable across movements; they’re not the term used to describe what happens specifically in protrusion.

During forward (protrusive) movement, the anterior teeth guide the mandible so that the posterior teeth separate and stop contacting. This separation is described as disclusion of posterior teeth. It reflects how anterior guidance acts to prevent posterior interference when the jaw moves forward. The other phrases refer to disclusion during side-to-side (lateral) movements—in which disclusion may occur on the working or non-working side—or to occlusion that remains stable across movements; they’re not the term used to describe what happens specifically in protrusion.