I just returned from a seminar outlining the essential concepts of occlusion, temporomandibular joint disorders, and the muscles of the masticatory system.  The idea that these three things are closely interrelated has been a somewhat controversial subject in the oral health community.  After spending two and a half days in this seminar, I have come to the conclusion that these things are indeed interrelated and that Centric Relation is an absolute.  The opposing thoughts of neuromuscular stabilization, which is not a repeatable position unlike centric relation which is perfectly predictable, and the forcing of the lateral pterygoid muscles into holding the condyles down the eminence is simply counterintuitive. 

During restoration, not only does the inevitable increase in vertical dimension relapse within a year, but the more immediate consequence of interferences on the inclines of the posterior teeth are exacerbated when the condyles seat into physiologically stable centric relation position. 

When EMG after EMG have shown that the muscles in centric relation are completely released when compared to muscles holding the condyles in a translated position, why do some still advocate this position?  Ignoring the effects of occlusal plane interaction with condylar inclination and muscular coordination when restoring the deficient dentition or damaged joint system will always lead to disaster.  Doing this would be like cutting an amalgam preparation and ignoring the orientation of the enamel rods and expecting it not to fracture when loaded.  So, next time you encounter someone who is advocating so-called “NMD” and spouts of the evils of “CR”, don’t walk, run!