The controversial issue of centric relation: a historical and current dental perspective?

Human mandible is related to the anatomic skull in several positions among these; centric relation is a significant spatial position. It contributes not only as a reference position to build optimal occlusion in artificial dentition, but is also related to sound periodontal health and stomatognatic function. The purpose of this article is to critically discuss the historical and current definitions of centric relation, the different methods used for recording the same and its clinical implication in the restorative dental practice.