The objective of this study was to assess dentists' knowledge and use of evidence-based practice (EBP), including their attitudes toward and perceptions of barriers that limit the use of EBP. A cross-sectional survey was used with self-administered questionnaires involving dental practitioners in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. One hundred ninety-three replies were returned, for a response rate of 50.3 percent. More than two-thirds (135/193, 69.9 percent) of the respondents had heard of EBP. Out of the 135 respondents who had heard of EBP, a majority agreed it was a decision-making process based on evidence (127/135, 94.2 percent) and involved a series of steps from formulating the research question, locating and assessing the evidence, to applying it if suitable (129/135, 95.6 percent). Out of the 135 respondents who had heard of EBP, a high percentage agreed that EBP improved their knowledge and skills (132/135, 97.8 percent) and treatment quality (132/135, 97.8 percent). For advice, a majority of the 135 respondents frequently consulted friends and colleagues (123/135, 91.1 percent), made referrals (120/135, 88.9 percent), consulted textbooks (112/135, 83.0 percent), and referred to electronic databases (90/135, 66.7 percent). Out of the 135 respondents, many perceived EBP as very important (59/135, 43.7 percent) and important (58/135, 43.0 percent) and were interested to learn further information about EBP (132/135, 97.8 percent). The main reported barriers were lack of time (87/135, 64.4 percent), financial constraints (54/135, 40.0 percent), and lack of knowledge (38/135, 28.1 percent). A majority of the 135 respondents had knowledge of and positive attitudes towards EBP. However, due to barriers, a majority of them preferred colleagues, textbooks, and referrals for advice instead of seeking evidence from electronic databases.

In an edentulous situation, the dentist must make several determinations when constructing artificial teeth. These include vertical and horizontal relationships of mandible with respect to the maxilla, occlusal form and position, vertical dimension, occlusal relationships during both centric closure and eccentric excursive movements. Artificial teeth are attached to a movable base resting on movable and displaceable living tissue subject to damage. They act as a unit; therefore, they must be arranged to function as a unit. Bilateral balanced occlusion is that stability of the denture is attained when bilateral contacts ex ist throughout all dynamic and static states of the denture during function. Lateral excursion in a balanced scheme implies simultaneous working side and nonworking side contact, while occlusal contacts are maintained on both anterior and posterior teeth as the mandible moves anteriorly into protrusion.