An evaluation of condyle position in centric relation obtained by manipulation of the mandible with and without leaf gauge deprogramming☆☆☆★★★♢♢♢

Centric relation records of 19 dental students were obtained with leaf gauges and by mandibular manipulation. The condyle/fossa relationships were subsequently evaluated with enhanced sagittal cephalometry. Both clinical methods of obtaining centric relation revealed considerable variation of the condyle location within the glenoid fossa. Only 10% of the patients showed a condyle position “upward and forward” in the fossa with the leaf gauge method. In the mandibular manipulation technique of obtaining centric relation, 10% of the patients showed an “upward and rearward” position of the condyle. (Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 1997;111:34-7.)