Maxillo-Mandibular Records for Complete Dentures

Mandible Position and Vertical Dimension

• The habitual postural position of the mandible to the maxillae when the patient is resting comfortably in the upright position is characterized by a state of minimal tonic contraction of the mandibular musculature.
• The vertical dimension of the face when the teeth on occlusal rims are in contact in centric relation represents the closest proximity of the mandible to the maxillae.

Techniques and Instruments

• The facebow instrument is used to transfer the patient's relationship from the clinic to the articulator, carrying the spatial relationship of the mandible to the maxillae.
• The protrusive record technique is used to measure the patient's mandibular movement, specifically the pathway of the mandible as it moves from the centric relation to the protrusive position.

Mandibular Movement and Centric Relation

• Centric relation is characterized by a specific position of the mandible, where the mandible is in a state of minimal tonic contraction and the teeth on the occlusal rims are in contact.
• The purpose of the protrusive record is to capture the pathway of the mandible as it moves from centric relation to the protrusive position, providing information on mandibular movement and function.