04 | Why to center the mandible

Nowadays, more dentists are undertaking full-mouth rehabilitations. Unlike single-tooth dentistry, the initial occlusion of the patient cannot be maintained. When the posterior support is changed and the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) is increased, the mandible must be repositioned. Understanding how and why to reposition the mandible is crucial and begins with investigating its initial position. Centering the mandible so that the elevator muscles present a bilateral equal contraction is key to promoting functional comfort during every full-mouth rehabilitation. If the mandible is centered, we should strive to maintain it; if we believe it is pathologically deviated, we should attempt modifications and see if the patient can adapt to the change.