ARTIFICIAL TEETH

Abstract

A set of artificial teeth for a denture comprises a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit. When set up in lingualised occlusion, at least one of following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10). The buccal cusps of the lower teeth are out of contact with the upper teeth, such that the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from lingualised to balanced occlusion simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

Claims

1. A set of artificial teeth comprising a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit in which, when set up in lingualised occlusion, at least one of following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10), and wherein the buccal cusps of the lower teeth are out of contact with the upper teeth, such that the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from lingualised to balanced occlusion simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

2. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

3. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein at least three of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

4. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein at least four of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

5. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein all of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

6. A set of artificial teeth comprising a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit in which, when set up in balanced occlusion, at least one of the following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10), and wherein at least one of the buccal cusps of the lower teeth are in contact with the upper teeth, such that the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from balanced to lingualised occlusion simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps upwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

7. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 6, wherein at least two of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

8. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 6, wherein at least three of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

9. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 6, wherein at least four of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

10. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 6, wherein all of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

11. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 6, wherein at least two, at least three, or at least four buccal cusps of the lower teeth are in contact with the upper teeth.

12. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 11, wherein all of the buccal cusps of the lower teeth of the set of artificial teeth are in contact with the upper teeth.

13. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the upper teeth have clearly defined upper palatal stamp cusps.

14. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the lower teeth have centric stops on their occluding surfaces.

15. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein each of the maxillary unit and the mandibular unit of the set of artificial teeth comprises a wax or resin base.

16. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein the set of artificial teeth comprises two maxillary unit and mandibular unit pairs, the units each designed for arrangement in a respective quadrant of the patient's mouth.

17. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein the maxillary unit comprises at least three, or at least four maxillary posterior teeth.

18. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein the mandibular unit comprises at least three, or at least four mandibular posterior teeth.

19. A set of artificial teeth according to claim 1, wherein the teeth are set up in the desired occlusal scheme within denture design software, and the change from lingualised to balanced occlusion or from balanced to lingualised occlusion is performed digitally.

20. (canceled)

21. A method for the production of a denture comprising: (i) providing a set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to claim 1, (ii) checking for acceptability of the chosen occlusal scheme, (iii) if necessary, changing to the alternate balanced occlusal scheme for the teeth by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers, or by performing this step digitally, and (iv) processing and finishing to produce the denture.

22. A method for the production of a denture comprising: (i) providing a set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to claim 6, (ii) checking for acceptability of the chosen occlusal scheme, (iii) if necessary, changing to the alternate lingualised occlusal scheme for the teeth by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps upwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers, or by performing this step digitally, and (iv) processing and finishing to produce the denture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] FIG. 1 shows the occlusal surface of upper posterior teeth embodying the invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the occlusal surface of lower posterior teeth embodying the invention.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a single upper tooth and a single lower tooth when set up and engaged in lingualised occlusion.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a single upper tooth and a single lower tooth when set up and engaged in balanced occlusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] The present invention provides a set of artificial teeth comprising a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit in which, when set up in lingualised occlusion, at least one of following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10), and wherein the buccal cusps of the lower teeth are out of contact with the upper teeth, such that the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from lingualised to balanced occlusion simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

[0056] The present invention also provides a set of artificial teeth comprising a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit in which, when set up in balanced occlusion, at least one of the following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10), and wherein at least one of the buccal cusps of the lower teeth is in contact with the upper teeth, such that the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from balanced to lingualised occlusion simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps upwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

[0057] The following definitions shall apply throughout the specification and the appended claims.

[0058] Within the context of the present specification, the term “comprises” is taken to mean “includes” or “contains”, i.e. other integers or features may be present, whereas the term “consists of” is taken to mean “consists exclusively of”.

[0059] Within the present specification, the term “about” means plus or minus 20%; more preferably plus or minus 10%; even more preferably plus or minus 5%; most preferably plus or minus 2%.

[0060] Within the present specification, the term “denture” means a prosthetic device constructed to replace missing teeth; a denture consists of a denture base that is supported by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity, and artificial denture teeth that restore aesthetics and function for a patient.

[0061] Within the present specification, the term “stamp cusp” means a tooth cusp that, when the tooth is in occlusion, fits in the fossa of the antagonist tooth in a mortar-and-pestle fashion.

[0062] Within the present specification, the term “centric stop” means a stable point of contact between occluded maxillary and mandibular teeth. Centric stops are located in the central fossa, marginal ridges and buccal and lingual cusps of posterior teeth.

[0063] As described above, in the set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, at least one of the following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0064] Preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, at least two of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0065] More preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, at least three of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0066] More particularly preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, at least four of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0067] Most preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, all of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9) and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion as described above, wherein the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from lingualised to balanced occlusion. The change from lingualised to balanced occlusion is preferably achieved simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the palatal stamp cusps on the upper teeth with such stamp cusps still substantially remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

[0069] As described above, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least one of the following occurs: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0070] Preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least two of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0071] More preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least three of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0072] More particularly preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least four of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0073] Most preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, all of the following occur: the palatal cusp of the upper 4 (1) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 4 (6), the palatal cusp of the upper 5 (2) fits into the distal fossa of the lower 5 (7), the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 6 (3) fits into the central fossa of the lower 6 (8), the distal palatal cusp of the upper 6 (4) fits onto the marginal ridge of the lower 6 (9), and the mesial palatal cusp of the upper 7 (5) fits into the central fossa of the lower 7 (10).

[0074] As described above, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least some of the buccal cusps of the lower teeth are in contact with the upper teeth. Preferably, in the set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, at least one buccal cusp of the lower teeth is in contact with the upper teeth. More preferably, at least two, at least three, or at least four buccal cusps of the lower teeth are in contact with the upper teeth. Most preferably, all of the buccal cusps of the lower teeth of the set of artificial teeth are in contact with the upper teeth. In centric occlusion, the buccal cusps of the lower teeth are in contact with the central fossae of the upper posterior teeth. In excursive movements the buccal cusps of the lower posterior teeth remain substantially in contact with the upper teeth, smoothly moving to contact with the buccal cusps of the upper teeth on the working side. Conversely the buccal cusps remain substantially in contact with the upper teeth, smoothly moving to contact with the buccal cusps of the upper teeth on the balancing side.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion as described above, wherein the cusp/fossa dimensions and relationships of the teeth concerned enable the occlusal scheme for the teeth to be changed from balanced to lingualised occlusion. The change from balanced to lingualised occlusion is preferably achieved simply by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps upwards around the palatal stamp cusps on the upper teeth with such stamp cusps still remaining within the centric stops of the lowers.

[0076] As described above, the set of artificial teeth according to the invention comprises a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit. Typically, the maxillary unit and the mandibular unit of the set of artificial teeth may be regarded as a maxillary unit and mandibular unit pair. In a preferred embodiment, the set of artificial teeth comprises two maxillary unit and mandibular unit pairs, each unit designed for arrangement in a respective quadrant of the patient's mouth.

[0077] The maxillary unit typically comprises a wax or resin base supporting at least three, or at least four maxillary posterior teeth. In one preferred embodiment, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting three maxillary posterior teeth. In this embodiment, the maxillary unit preferably comprises a wax or resin base supporting first and second maxillary pre-molar teeth and a single maxillary molar tooth. More preferably, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting four maxillary posterior teeth. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting first and second maxillary pre-molar teeth and first and second maxillary molar teeth. These teeth are referred to as the upper 4, upper 5, upper 6, and upper 7. Accordingly, the maxillary unit preferably comprises a wax or resin base and at least three of the upper 4, upper 5, upper 6, and upper 7 teeth. Preferably, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base and at least the upper 4, upper 5, and upper 6 teeth. More preferably, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base and all four of the upper 4, upper 5, upper 6, and upper 7 teeth.

[0078] The mandibular unit typically comprises a wax base supporting at least three, or at least four mandibular posterior teeth. In one preferred embodiment, the mandibular unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting three mandibular posterior teeth. In this embodiment, the mandibular unit preferably comprises a wax or resin base supporting first and second mandibular pre-molar teeth and a single mandibular molar tooth. More preferably, the mandibular unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting four mandibular posterior teeth. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mandibular unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting first and second mandibular pre-molar teeth and first and second mandibular molar teeth. These teeth are referred to as the lower 4, lower 5, lower 6, and lower 7. Accordingly, the mandibular unit preferably comprises a wax or resin base and at least three of the lower 4, lower 5, lower 6, and lower 7 teeth. Preferably, the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base and at least the lower 4, lower 5, and lower 6 teeth. More preferably, the mandibular unit comprises a wax or resin base and all four of the lower 4, lower 5, lower 6, and lower 7 teeth.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment in which the maxillary unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting four maxillary posterior teeth, the width of the set of four upper or maxillary posterior teeth is from about 20 mm to about 60 mm. More preferably, the width of the set of four upper posterior teeth is between about 25 mm and about 40 mm. In a preferred embodiment in which the mandibular unit comprises a wax or resin base supporting four mandibular posterior teeth, the width of the set of four lower posterior teeth is from about 20 mm to about 65 mm. More preferably, the width of the set of four lower posterior teeth is between about 26 mm and about 44 mm.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the buccal cusp angles of the set of artificial teeth are typically in the range of between about 10° and about 40°. In another preferred embodiment, the height of the palatal cusps and/or buccal cusps is typically between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.

[0081] The sets of artificial teeth of the present invention may be produced by any suitable method known to the skilled person such as compression moulding, injection moulding, transfer moulding, milling or 3D printing.

[0082] Individual teeth for use in the sets of artificial teeth of the present invention may be formed from any suitable material known to the skilled person. Preferably, the individual teeth are formed from one or more synthetic resins, such as acrylates, which may when so required be filled with organic or inorganic fillers in order to improve their properties, or from porcelain or other inorganic material.

[0083] The present invention also provides a method for the production of a denture comprising: (i) providing a set of artificial teeth set up in lingualised occlusion according to the present invention, (ii) checking for acceptability of the chosen occlusal scheme, (iii) if necessary, changing to the alternate balanced occlusal scheme for the teeth by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps downwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still remaining substantially within the centric stops of the lowers, and (iv) processing and finishing to produce the denture.

[0084] Similarly, the present invention also provides a method for the production of a denture comprising: (i) providing a set of artificial teeth set up in balanced occlusion according to the present invention, (ii) checking for acceptability of the chosen occlusal scheme, (iii) if necessary, changing to the alternate lingualised occlusal scheme for the teeth by softening the wax or resin under the upper posterior teeth and rotating the upper buccal cusps upwards around the said palatal cusps on the upper teeth with such palatal cusps still remaining substantially within the centric stops of the lowers, and (iv) processing and finishing to produce the denture.

[0085] Embodiments have been described herein in a concise way. It should be appreciated that features of these embodiments may be variously separated or combined within the invention.