[The distance between the terminal hinge position and the intercuspation position in the temporomandibular joint area].

In 117 subjects with normal TMJs, the distance between most retruded contact position and maximum intercuspation was measured both extraorally by means of a kinematic face bow and intraorally with a ruler. The mean distance between most retruded contact position and maximum intercuspation was 0.5 +/- 0.3 mm on the right side and 0.5 +/- 0.4 mm on the left side. The reproducibility of the measurements was better than 0.3 mm (0.2 +/- 0.1 mm) in 80% of the subjects. Statistically, there was no correlation between the amount of sliding and vertical overlap. For practical purposes, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. Retruded contact position and maximum intercuspation are well reproducible reference positions of the mandible. 2. Retruded contact position is very close to maximum intercuspation in most people. Therefore it can be used as a "therapeutic compromise" for occlusal rehabilitation. 3. There is no indication that a deep vertical overlap would lock the mandible in a dorsal position. 4. When using the "freedom in centric" concept, the occlusal range is about 0.5 mm.