We’re Biased Toward the Neutral Zone
The neutral zone is defined as the area where the forces of the tongue pressing outward are neutralized by the forces of the cheeks and lips pressing inward. Within this space is where natural teeth are positioned.
Prosthetic teeth in a complete denture must be placed in this zone also. Doing so will stabilize the position of the denture base to the alveolar ridge. This is relatively cut and dried when the patient has a Class I Angle’s classification. But what if the patient has an overbite (Class II) or underbite (Class III)?
Patients have a tendency to request a more “normal” (Class I) looking prosthetic tooth arrangement. We respectfully suggest that you ignore the patient’s wishes for the following reasons:
Forcing a Class II into a Class I tooth arrangement will create an anterior cantilever on the mandibular denture and at the least, cause it to easily dislodge. When opposing a maxillary complete denture this cantilever situation will constantly compress the maxillary alveolar ridge and over time cause the maxillary denture and possibly the maxilla to fracture.
Forcing a Class III into a Class I tooth arrangement will crowd the patient’s tongue, and the mandibular denture will easily and often become dislodged in the posterior.
Class III relationship as received from Dr.
Attempted “fixes” of processed dentures with neutral zone violations are often:
relines or rebases in an attempt to stabilize the denture (that was probably well adapted in the first place) for Class II violations,
denture liners and conditioners in an effort to ease the pain of the compressed incisive papilla and crest of the ridge for Class III violations.
All the relines, rebases, liners, and conditioners will not fix violations of the laws of dental physics.
Complete dentures must be set in the neutral zone with the correct teeth for the Angles Class as follows:
Angle Class I Normal – occlusal cusp inclination 20-33 degrees
Angle Class II Overbite – occlusal cusp inclination 10 degrees
Angle Class III Under bite – occlusal cusp inclination 0 degrees
It is our responsibility to advise a dentist when the “Neutral Zone” or Angle’sClassification is violated. It is as important for dentures to function properly as to be esthetically pleasing.