Designing opposing teeth

[Brett Hansen CDT]

When you have a case where two molars or premolar restorations are opposing each other, which do you design first and why? Typically I will design the molar first so that it matches the occlusal plane of the adjacent dentition. Then I will design the maxillary restoration to fit the mandibular restoration. I will make tweaks to both before I send them to the mill, but that is normally who I handle it. What about you?

 

[Car 54]

I do it the same way as you. If it's more complicated like bridges or multiple units opposing each other, I may mill them in wax, check it on the real articulator
and with Sharpies mark any changes to make. For me, the red Sharpie marks are to add, the black areas to subtract, then "re-design" and make those changes, then mill and sinter.