Radiographic comparisons of condyle-fossa relationships during maxillomandibular registrations made by different methods

The condyle-fossa relationships were compared when maxillomandibular registrations were made in centric relation, with the teeth intercuspated and by muscular stimulation methods. The relationships of the condyles to the glenoid fossae established by each method were determined radiographically and compared on composite tracings. Analysis of the tracings indicated that the condyles were in a central position in the glenoid fossae in 21 of the 30 tracings. Both the intercuspation and centric relation methods caused the condyles to be centered in the fossae in eight of ten subjects. The muscular stimulation method caused the condyles to be centered in the fossae in five subjects and positioned anteriorly in the fossae in five subjects.