Centric Occlusion, isn’t that Intercuspal position?

or is it Intercuspation
position? or is it Habitual Occlusion? or are they all the same?

Here is a basic guide to Occlusal terminology that hopefully will help to unravel the
confusion around different terms used with in the subject.
Presented by Prestige Dental, UK distributors of Denar Occlusion products.
.

ANTERIOR GUIDANCE… The influence of contacting surfaces of teeth on the

mandibular movement.
ARCON… also known as “Articulated Condyle”. Whereby the condyle part is
attached to the lower member of the articulator ( Non- Arcon is whereby the lower
condylar part is attached to the upper member of the articulator.
ARTICULATION… Describes a relationship between the upper and lower teeth
which exists during mandibular movement, from one occlusion to another. It is a
dynamic relationship and may be balanced or unbalanced.
BALANCED ARTICULATION...
This may also be referred to as “Fully Balanced Occlusion” or “Balanced Dynamic
Occlusion.” A multi point contact relationship of the opposing teeth, in which they
guide smoothly over each other during mandibular movement, without causing
dislodgement of the dentures.
Balanced Occlusion… May also be referred to as “Bilaterally Balanced Occlusion”
or even “Balanced static occlusion” (Dentures). A multi point contact relationship of
opposing teeth in static contact.
BENNETT ANGLE… This term may also be referred to as “Progressive side
shift”.It is the angle obtained after the non working side condyle has moved anteriorly
and medially, relative to the sagittal plane. The flatter the cusp the greater the side
shift.
BENNETT SHIFT… May also be referred to as “Bennett movement” “Immediate
side shift” or even “Mandibular side shift”. For describing the bodily lateral
movement of the mandible towards the working side during lateral excursions
(approx. 0.3mm)
BRUXISM…May also be referred to as “Parafunctional activity” indicating tooth
contacting habits, which are not necessary, in order to execute the normal
physiological oral function. I.e. clenching and grinding.
CANINE GUIDANCE… May also be referred to as “Canine Protected Activity”
Describing the part of the anterior guidance that often occurs on lateral excursion,
where the mandibular movement is dictated by mandibular canine- maxillary
contacts.
CENTRIC OCCLUSION (CO)… also known as “Intercuspal position (ICP)”
“Habitual Occlusion” “Intercuspation Position,” “Maximum Intercuspation”
“Habitual Centric” “Aquired Centric” and “Bite of accommodation”. This describes
the position of the mandible when the maxillary and mandibular teeth are at their most
interdigitated. I.e. Maximum intercuspation of the teeth, irrespective of the condyle to
fossa relationship.This is only evident when an adequate number of occluding teeth
are present.
CENTRIC RELATED OCCLUSION…When CO and CRO are co-incidental. This
is the ideal to aim for in an equilibrated mouth – simultaneous contact of all the teeth
with the condyles in centric relation, see also reorganised occlusion.
CENTRIC RELATION OCCLUSION (CRO)… also known as “Retruded contact
position” (RCP). Here the position of the mandible is determined by tooth to tooth
contact when the mandible closes in CR.
CENTRIC RELATIONSHIP (CR)… may also be referred to as “Terminal Hinge
Access” “Terminal Hinge Relation” “Retruded Arch of Closure” “Retruded Axis
Position” (RAP) “Ligamentous Position” and last but not least “Hinge Axis”. All
describe the most retruded position of the mandible relative to the maxilla, determined
by the TMJ with the teeth separated I.e. Condyle to fossa relationship without tooth
contact. Condyles in the upper most position in the fossa.
CENTRIC STOP…may also be referred to as “Centric stop position”. Whereby the
Cusp tip is used to achieve contact.
CONDYLE… A word to describe the rounded surface at the distal extremity of the
Ramus of the mandible, which fits into the Glenoid fossa to form the
tempromandibular joint.
CONDYLAR ANGLE… also known as “Condyle path”. Is used to describe the
angle given by the downward and forward slope of the Glenoid fossa. “S” shaped in
reality, this is represented as a straight line in average and semi adjustable articulators.
CONDYLAR GUIDANCE… also referred to as “Angle of Eminencia”. The
mechanism on an articulator which reproduces the paths down which the condyles
travel on protrusion of the mandible.
CONFORMATIVE… When the restorations are fabricated to an existing jaw
relationship.
CROSSOVER INTERFERENCES…Once the canine has moved into a position
that is labial to the upper canine and the tips have crossed over, the mandible has then
entered into the crossover position.
DISCLUSION… also known as “Discluding”.
The separation of teeth during excursive movements e.g. On protrusion, as the
mandibular anterior teeth slide over the palatal surfaces of the maxillary teeth the
posterior teeth may disclude.
FOSSAE… also known as “Fossa”
A depression.
FREEWAY SPACE… also known as “Interocclusal clearance” and “Interocclusal
space”. Meaning the space between the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary and
mandibular teeth when in the rest position. It is usually measured in the premolar
region.
FUNCTIONAL CUSP…
The palatal cusps of the maxillary teeth and buccal cusps of mandibular teeth, which
occlude with opposing fossae.
GROUP FUNCTION… also referred to as “Shared function”. Indicates the guidance
of the mandible when a number of posterior teeth are in contact in lateral and
protrusive excursion
INTERFERENCE… also known as “Occlusal interference” and “Deflective
contacts”.
Describes an uneven, early contact arising on one or more teeth during an excursive
movement. Thus,causing disclusion of guiding teeth.
INTERCONDYLAR DISTANCE…is the distance between the condylar heads at
any point.( Often set at 110mm on an average value articulator)
LATERAL EXCURSION… also referred to “Latrusion”. Is the sideways movement
of the mandible.
LINGUALIZED OCCLUSION (LO)… may also be referred to as “Palatalized
occlusion”. Is where only the maxillary posterior palatal cusps occlude with shallow
mandibular central fossae.
LONG CENTRIC… also referred to as “Freedom in centric occlusion”.
Describes freedom of the mandible to slide forward at the same vertical dimension.
MALOCCLUSION… is a deviation from normal occlusion of one or more teeth in
the dental arches.
MUTUALLY PROTECTED OCCLUSION (MPO)… Describes that in centric
relation there is only posterior tooth contact. The maxillary palatal cusps and
mandibular buccal cusps should occlude with there opposing occlusal fossae. Thus,
anterior teeth positively disclude the posterior teeth in all excentric excursions,
protecting the posterior (of implants) from harmful lateral forces.
NON WORKING CONDYLE… also known as “Orbiting condyle”.
Describes the condyle on the non-working side, which undergoes a mainly translatory
movement during function on the working side.
NON WORKING MOVEMENT… also known as “Non working side” “Non
functioning” “Balancing” “Contralateral” or “Orbiting side”. Refers to the side the
mandible is moving away from.
NON WORKING SIDE INTERFERENCES…Is a posterior contact on the non-
working side which interferes with ideal anterior guidance, thus when the mandible
moves in one direction, if a tooth on the opposite side interferes with ideal anterior
guidance, this is classed as a non working side interference.
PANTOGRAPH READING… Now the Cadiax electronic device. (Prestige Dental)
Is a reading from a device that accurately traces mandibular movements with two
main component parts similar to two facebows; one is attached to the maxillary arch
and one attached to the mandibular arch. On being transferred to a fully adjustable
articulator such as the Denar D5a (Prestige Dental) the resulting three dimensional
tracing of border movements can be used to programme the articulator to reproduce
mandibular movement with a high degree of accuracy.
PATH OF CLOSURE… sometimes known as “Line of closure”. Describes the path
taken from rest to occlusal positions.It is usually traced at the incisal edges of the
lower central incisors.
PREMATURE CONTACT… also known as “Closure interference” or “First point
of contact”. Is an uneven contact arising only on one tooth as the mandible closes to
centric occlusion.
PROPRIOCENTIVE… Is the sensory perception of the occlusal load due to the
periodontal ligament that attaches the teeth to the alveolus.
PROTRUSIVE EXCURSION… also referred to as “Protrusion”. Is the forward
movement of the mandible.
REORGANISED… When restorations are fabricated to the patients jaw position in
centric relation. Deflective contacts and occlusal interferences are removed allowing
the muscles of mastication to move the mandible free from proprioceptive influences
of these contact
REST POSITION… Also referred to as “Postural rest position” and “Postural
position”. This is the position the mandible adopts when standing or sitting upright,
when the musculator is at rest.
Determined by muscle tone and tension of surrounding tissues.
SAGITAL PLANE… Is the longitudinal vertical plane that divides the mouth into
two halves (left and right).
THE ALERT FEEDING POSITION… is when the head is tilted 30 degrees
forward. The aim is to have no deflective contacts on the maxillary anterior teeth as
the mandible closes in its acquired position.
WORKING CONDYLE … This is condyle on the non working side, which
undergoes mainly rotational movement during function on the working side.
WORKING MOVEMENT… Also referred to as “Working side” “Functioning side”
or “Rotating side”. Is the side the mandible is moving to during an excursive
movement.
WORKING SIDE INTERFERENCE… The term working side is still most
commonly used to describe the side to which the mandible is moving during a lateral
excursion. A working side interference is a posterior contact on the working side,
which interferes with the ideal anterior guidance.

Now here is your chance. If you can think of any other terms for any of the above
please visit our website and send them through. www.prestige-dental.co.uk .
You can also visit our course section which details Occlusion courses we are currently
involved with