December 5, 2025 - Study Club session
CR, CO, MIP, Long Centric, and Anterior Coupling – Rethinking Occlusion Through the TMJ Lens
For decades, occlusion has been taught from the teeth down; centric relation as a hinge, centric occlusion as a target, and maximum intercuspation as the endpoint. Yet every clinician who treats TMD knows the story is more complex. This course revisits five core occlusal concepts - CR, CO, MIP, Long Centric, and Anterior Coupling - through the joint-first perspective essential for accurate diagnosis, stable function, and predictable treatment.
Participants will explore how historical definitions evolved, why outdated interpretations persist, and what these terms truly mean when viewed in the context of joint anatomy, muscle physiology, and system stability. The course bridges the gap between textbook occlusion and clinical reality, showing how to identify occlusal risk patterns, measure CR-MIP discrepancies, and design physiologic occlusion that protects both teeth and joints.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
Define and differentiate CR, CO, MIP, Long Centric, and Anterior Coupling as they relate to joint position and system stability.
Trace the historical evolution of each concept and identify where traditional teachings diverged from current biomechanical understanding.
Recognize misconceptions that contribute to joint overload, muscular strain, and post-operative occlusal discomfort.
Evaluate the patient’s occlusion using a TMJ-based approach, including deprogramming, measuring CR-MIP discrepancies, and defining optimal occlusion in a degenerated joint.
Apply practical protocols for creating a stable joint position and physiologic occlusion, including freedom in optimal mandibular position.
Integrate these principles into restorative, prosthetic, and TMD therapy to prevent occlusal interferences and long-term dysfunction.