[Vertical and horizontal jaw relations in reconstructive dentistry. A critical review]

Abstract

Despite comprising one of the routine duties of dental practitioners, the methods used for the determination of the vertical and horizontal jaw position differ considerably from dentist to dentist. For the overwhelming majority of patients, however, the techniques generally applied for the maxillomandibular relationship record appear to lead to acceptable results. No method seems to be clearly superior to the other. As far as the determination of the horizontal mandibular position (centric relation interocclusal record) is concerned, bimanual manipulation has shown to be particularly reliable. The decisive factor, apart from any preferred method, is that the chosen therapeutic mandibular position be reproducible for both the treatment provider as well as the patient.