Cephalometric analysis: comparisons between maximum intercuspation and centric relation.

Cephalometric analyses were made of forty-six preorthodontic patients with the mandibular teeth in maximum intercuspation. A Centric-Ceph was used and the analysis was repeated on these patients with the mandible in centric relation. The following conclusions are drawn: 1. No clinically useful prediction may be made from cephalometric radiographs concerning the amount of mandibular deflection from centric relation to maximum intercuspation of teeth. 2. There are differences in cephalometric measurements with the mandible in the two different positions. However, with the exception of a few cases, the differences are slight. 3. The individual cases that have the largest discrepancies tend to be Class II malocclusion cases. The orthodontist should be aware of those cases and be prepared to articulate them for diagnosis.