Comparative Evaluation of Various Techniques to Record Centric Relation- A Literature Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND The documentation of centric relation from the completely edentulous patient and transferring the same to the fully-adjustable articulator or semi-adjustable articulator is the most essential step, that helps in diagnosing, treatment planning, and fabrication of the complete denture prosthesis, that aids in enhancing the facial aesthetics, function, speech, and maintenance of the stomatognathic system. Recording of maxillomandibular relationship is the most critical step, the relation of mandible to maxilla creates more controversy than any other dental-related studies. Hence to re-establish the maxillomandibular relationship in a completely edentulous patient is the most difficult task. However, a historical literature review in dentistry reveals that there are numerous techniques, philosophies, and materials that can be manipulated and used to record the maxillomandibular relationship. The recording of centric and eccentric relationship of the mandible to maxilla can be done using various techniques like check bite record, intra-oral graphic recording, extra-oral graphic recording, functional recording, radiographic imaging and measurements based on anatomical landmarks, and computerized assessment of maxillomandibular relationship based on jaw movement tracking systems. The principle reason of recording maxillomandibular relationship in all the centric and eccentric relationship is to re-establish a maxillomandibular relationship without an error, as stated in literature review, that to initiate any treatment in dentistry it is must to record centric relation with proper guidance of mandibular jaw to maxillary jaw that should be in harmony with all the muscles of mastication and facial expression including the temporomandibular joint and bony structure, that helps to maintain the health and growth of the muscle tissues and bony structures. This article discusses the in-depth details of these techniques and methods used in recording centric jaw relations.

Tongue training technique for guiding the mandible in establishing horizontal jaw relation in edentulous patients

“…The principal motive in recording centric relation is to accurately establish the jaw relation to retain the health of the oro‐facial structures 1 . However, it is very difficult to trace the mandibular movements in patients with abnormal neuromuscular coordination and patients with severely resorbed ridges.…”

“…Edentulous patients have poor neuromuscular coordination which was given improper proprioceptive guidance to navigate the mandible to the correct horizontal relation 1 . Horizontal jaw relation is a complex relationship in which variation may occur in vertical, anteroposterior and mediolateral directions 2 …”

“…Dentists use various methods and devices to register centric relation, such as direct check bite recording, intra‐oral and extra‐oral tracing, radiographic method, and computerised tracing method 1 . The objective of complete denture prosthesis rehabilitation is to re‐establish the masticatory function accurately and to enable coordination with the stomatognathic system, but accurate recording of centric relation remains challenging.…”