Group Function Isn't a Dirty Word

Bilateral canine guidance is great when it is appropriate, but sometimes it just isn't possible.

So what happens in these cases?

Do the teeth break down? TM joints become dysfunctional? Or do the muscles become sore without the canines separating the posterior teeth in excursive movements?

It is well documented that posterior contacts in excursive movements cause increased muscle activity. However, when is that important and when does it occur?

Posterior interferences are different than a well-refined group function; in the presence of parafunction, removing those interferences will reduce muscle activity and resistance to movement in excursions.

Group Function Lightens the Load on an Individual Tooth

In the presence of extreme parafunction though, canine guidance may be detrimental to the long term health of the patient. Group function may cause more muscle activity, but it also reduces the load on an individual tooth – the canine by spreading it over at least one other tooth.

The key is organizing it well so that the teeth progressively engage in excursions, as the mandible travels laterally the facial inclines of the most posterior tooth to engage pass across the palatal inclines of the upper tooth, as the mandible continues its path, the next tooth in line engages and so on until the canine is picked up at the end of the movement.

Notice on the finished case that the premolar is just releasing as the canine is picked up. In the occlusal view, you can see that as the mark ends laterally on the premolar and moves to the canine; the stroke is finished on the canine.

Use group function in severe bruxers, mobile teeth, if the canine is a single implant, if the canine is a bridge or if there is joint pain on the working side.


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