Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare swallowing, light chin positioning, and intraoral gothic arch tracing methods for determining centric relation (CR) using a digital intraoral tracer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants: 30 edentulous or overdenture patients with well formed ridges and adequate inter arch space. Instrumentation: A customized digital intraoral gothic arch tracer. Procedure: Mandibular movements were recorded using the tracer. Swallowing, light chin positioning, and intraoral gothic arch tracing methods were performed. X and Y coordinates of mandibular positions were compared across the three methods. RESULTS: Light chin positioning was found to be more reproducible than the swallowing method and It was also reliable in the supine posture for centric relation determination. CONCLUSION: Among the tested methods, light chin positioning provided the most reproducible and reliable centric relation records, making it a preferable choice over swallowing in clinical practice.