To construct occlusal morphology, it is necessary to know exactly how to observe the form to be replicated and to have a good knowledge of dental anatomy. The human brain may be considered a nearly perfect machine, but it will try to make its work simpler by expending as little energy as possible for maximum results. These mental shortcuts lead to limitations in a person’s ability to accurately observe shape. This chapter explains how to overcome these limitations through visual decomposition.

The concept of shape, concerning an object’s outward appearance, is inseparably linked with the concept of function: Objects are shaped in accordance with the function for which they were designed. For example, the hand, a tactile sensory extension of the brain, can perform prehensile functions because its thumb opposes the other fingers: Many of the fine, precise movements that can be performed with the hand, particularly the fingers, would no longer be feasible if the thumb were aligned with the forefingers. A study of shape begins with a perceptual analysis of how things are done. Visual perception is the outcome of integrating and processing an image through a series of mental processes that are influenced by the observer’s cognitive resources (cognitive processing stage). Cognitive experience is influenced by previous experiences as the brain establishes similarities between things that are currently being observed and things that are already known. Full perception of an object (shape) and the ensuing emotional experience can only come about when the various information has been assimilated.

Perception of objects is made possible by two types of stimuli: distal and proximal.¹ A distal stimulus allows us to perceive an object’s physical presence. A proximal stimulus leads the observer to the information needed to arrive at the distal stimulus. In other words, we recognize an apple (distal stimulus) because it is roundish and red in color and has two depressions (proximal stimulus). Based on the proximal stimulus (characteristics of the observed object), we can perceive an object’s presence (distal stimulus) through a process that allows us to create a perceptive representation of the object by reproducing the information embedded in the proximal stimulus.

The Gestalt philosophical movement, established in Germany by Max Wertheimer (1921), Wolfgang Kohler, and Kurt Koffka (1935), adopts an interesting approach to shape. According to this philosophy, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”² The overall shape is conditioned by the perceptive capacities, which include perception of:

• Outlines
• Space and ratios
• Light and shadow

Perception of Outlines

The perception of outlines defines an object’s visual perimeter, which essentially depends on the observation perspective: Different perspectives of observation will correspond to different visual perimeters.

Figure 1-1 shows the same tooth observed from two different perspectives. Marking the outlines of both teeth (in blue) establishes the differences between the visual perimeters. This demonstrates that when observing a tooth, we must observe it from all possible perspectives in order to appreciate its true morphologic variations. Each observation perspective will supply the brain with information that, when assimilated by the memory, can be processed to assemble a perceived overall form.

For example, when performing a Class 2 restoration, the first step is to convert cavities to Class 1 in order to redefine the outline and make it easier to reconstruct the occlusal surface. The optical perception of a restored outline defines the peripheral limits and provides the morphologic information necessary to simplify the occlusal restoration procedure.

Perception of Space and Ratios

The perception of space and ratios defines the relationship that the object establishes with the surrounding space and other elements present in the field of observation as well as relationships established between the object’s constituent parts: everything must be in relative proportion (Fig 1-2).

Perception of Light and Shadow

Perception of light and shadow plays a crucial role in perceiving an object’s 3D shape and surface details (Fig 1-3). If light is completely removed from the image of the molar shown in Fig 1-1a, only the outline of the figure can be perceived (Fig 1-4a), which is only possible due to the distinct contrast between the image and the white background. If the white background of the same image is replaced by a black background (Fig 1-4b), the shape is not perceptible. Similarly, if all the shading is removed from the molar in Fig 1-1a, only the outline can be perceived, and this is only due to the distinct contrast between the image and the black background (Fig 1-4c). If the black background of the same image is replaced by a white background, the shape is not perceptible (Fig 1-4d).

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