The demand for cosmetic dentistry has never been greater. This has led many dentists to invest considerable time, effort and money in mastering various cosmetic procedures and techniques. While this is commendable, it should be recognized that it is one thing to be able to make beautiful teeth and an entirely different thing to make beautiful teeth that actually last and function in harmony with the rest of the masticatory system. An acceptable cosmetic result, without regard for function and/or parafunction, will often result in premature case failure. This text emphasizes the correlation of occlusion and its importance in restorative dentistry.