Thirty years of nonanatomic teeth

Early Designs for the Occlusal Anatomy of Posterior Denture Teeth: Part III

“…Apparently, this design quickly faded into obscurity. Sears 3 later pointed out the striking similarity between this tooth and Rupert E. Hall's Inverted Cusp Teeth of 1931.…”

“…Instead, he developed a system for reshaping (by selective grinding) the crude, block‐like, porcelain posterior teeth that were commercially available at the time. The purpose of his technique was to produce an occlusion free from cuspal interferences and capable of efficient mastication 3‐7 …”

“…He was exacting in reshaping the teeth to achieve balance while eliminating interferences. Bonwill ground anterior–posterior channels in the molars, but for some reason did not do this to free the mandible in a protrusive movement, because he did not cut similar channels into the biscuspids (Fig 3C 3 ). In his epistles to the profession, Bonwill lays out his “Philosophy of Mastication” with a flair and drama akin to that of Moses, stone tablets in hand, descending Mount Sinai.…”

The Development of Nonanatomic Denture Occlusion – Part I

“…This consumer mandate changing from anatomic teeth to nonanatomic teeth clearly influenced tooth manufacturers to slowly give way to where they all eventually offered at least one nonanatomic tooth form in their inventories. Some nonanatomic forms came from abroad, notably from England, Switzerland, and Germany; however, as Dr. Sears boldly claimed, “it must be noted that as with anatomic teeth most of the advances in nonanatomic tooth design were made in the United States.” In his 30‐year review of the evolution of nonanatomic teeth, he noted that from 1922 until 1952, a new nonanatomic occlusal design appeared every 9 months on average, and he correctly predicted that more would follow.…”

“…Justi, and Sons, Inc. of Philadelphia. They were discontinued after several years when Justi ceased manufacture of all porcelain teeth and switched completely to manufacturing acrylic teeth …”