You do not have to be an FBI agent to find and register the retruded contact position in the treatment of the prosthodontic patient.

Many definitions and techniques are available, describing and registering centric relation or occlusion. This paper is a brief review of dental literature regarding centric relation (CR), depicting four categories of CR recording: direct interocclusal records, intraoral and extraoral graphic recordings, functional recordings and cephalometrics. Our study proposes the use of the terms Retruded Contact Position (RCP) instead of Centric Relation or Centric Occlusion. RCP is defined as retruded, unstrained, repeatable position where mandibular movements start. With this definition, it is easy to select a technique that meets all requirements of such position. A new and improved Jaw Recorder, designed by J. Massad, is presented here. This jaw recorder is an intraoral graphic recording device that results in a tracing of mandibular movements in one plane, with the apex of tracing indicating the most retruded relationship. The intersection of arches produced by right and left working movements forms the apex of what is known as Gothic arch tracing. Clinical situations using jaw recorder are described, and clinicians can now, quickly, easily and accurately record RCP, balance complete, partial or implant dentures and orthopedically reposition mandible. This has many advantages and results sound more reliable and reproducible than many traditional manipulation techniques.