Oklúzie

Oklúzie is a term used in medical and dental contexts to describe the condition or process of closing, obstructing, or blocking an opening or passage in a biological system. The word is derived from Latin occludere, to close. In practice, oklúzie can refer to different phenomena depending on the organ or system involved, and it is described in related disciplines with terminology specific to that field.

In dentistry, oklúzia denotes the contact relationship between teeth when the jaws are closed. It covers how upper and lower teeth meet (occlusal contacts), the alignment of the bite, and the functional pattern of chewing. Clinicians distinguish ideal or centric occlusion from malocclusions, which describe deviations in tooth alignment or jaw relationship. Malocclusion classifications, overbite and overjet, and problems such as crossbite or crowding are commonly discussed under this heading. Proper oklúzia is important for chewing efficiency, speech, and facial aesthetics, and it is a central focus of orthodontic assessment and treatment planning.

In broader medical usage, oklúzie refers to occlusion of a hollow structure, such as a blood vessel, duct, or airway. Vascular occlusion can result from thrombus, embolus, or atherosclerotic disease and may lead to tissue ischemia or infarction. Occlusions of ducts or airways disrupt normal physiologic flow and may require urgent intervention depending on the context. Treatment and prognosis vary by location, cause, and severity.

See also: occlusion, malocclusion, vascular occlusion, occlusal analysis.