What is the Envelope of Function?

In recent articles, I’ve been going over the proper treatment for patients with failed dentition due to pathway wear. As clinicians, it’s very important to understand how we can create guidance for restorations in these types of patients.

When it comes to defining what the envelope of function is, I believe we need to define it in two ways:

“Dental” Envelope of Function: This is the static relationship that we as clinicians can control. Essentially, it’s the pathway of mandibular movement created by the contours of the teeth. This means we can place teeth in different locations and it will dictate how the patient closes and moves.

“Neuromuscular” Envelope of Function: This is the mandibular movement created by the patients own neuromuscular movement pattern. This is essentially the dynamic relationship determined by the patient.

KEY: Our goal as clinicians is that we want the “dental” envelope of function (where we put the teeth) to be in harmony with the patient’s “neuromuscular” envelope of function (where they want to move).