ANSWERS

What is group function occlusion?

Group function occlusion is a lateral guidance scheme where multiple posterior teeth on the working side share contact simultaneously during lateral excursion, distributing occlusal load across the arch rather than concentrating it on the canine. It contrasts with canine-guided occlusion.

THE SHORT ANSWER

THE FULL PICTURE

Why it works this way

The clinical definition

Group function occlusion describes a lateral guidance scheme in which the buccal cusps of multiple working-side posterior teeth (typically the canine plus premolars, sometimes extending to the mesiobuccal cusp of the first molar) contact simultaneously during lateral excursive movement. The load is shared across several teeth rather than borne entirely by the canine. The non-working side should remain free of contact in both group function and canine-guided schemes.

More on this topic

Group function vs canine-guided: which should I prescribe?

Neither is universally correct. Canine-guided occlusion is often the default for patients with intact, well-supported canines because it disoccludes the posteriors immediately in lateral excursion and protects them from lateral loading. Group function is indicated when the canine cannot carry that load alone: wear, mobility, periodontal compromise, or unfavorable skeletal relationships. For full-arch rehabilitations, group function is frequently chosen to distribute forces. Send the mounted records and the lab technician can confirm feasibility before fabrication begins.

Can group function be planned in a fully digital workflow?

Yes. Intraoral scans combined with a digital facebow record and a virtual articulator allow the excursive scheme to be designed and validated before milling or printing. The critical inputs are the centric relation bite, a protrusive and lateral excursive record, and clear notation of which teeth should share contact on the working side. At Dani Dental, group function cases move through the same digital workflow as canine-guided cases; the difference is in the design parameters, not the pipeline.

How do I communicate a group function prescription to the lab?

Specify three things: the working-side teeth that should carry contact (canine plus which posteriors), the target amount of non-working disclusion in millimeters, and any teeth that must remain out of contact due to mobility or wear. Include mounted models or the digital equivalent with excursive records. Ambiguous prescriptions ("group function, use judgment") produce inconsistent results across cases. Dani Dental technicians will call the practice the same day if the prescription leaves any of these three points open.

GO DEEPER

Read the full guide on all procedures

This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

Read the guide

REQUEST A DOCTOR KIT

Try the work before you switch.

Request a Doctor Kit and we'll mail RX pads, a shade guide, and pre-paid shipping for your first three cases. No call, no contract.

Request a Doctor Kit Talk to a technician