Nakazazawa et al7 describe the uppermost, forward posi- tion of the condyles in the glenoid fossae as “a very stable position even under considerable stress. It is obvious that the compressive force at the joint produced by the masticatory muscles is not harmful. Since the disk is composed of ex- tremely tough collagenous tissue and has no nerves or blood vessels in its central area, it can bear stresses that could cause traumatic inflammation in general soft tissue.”It is this understanding that explains why centric relation is at such a precisely repeatable endpoint (the apex of force position). It is this precise end point for the condyle disk as- semblies that enables us to record centric relation with needlepoint accuracy.7 It is for this reason that correctly mounted casts on an articulator are an absolutely reliable duplication of the patient’s correct jaw-to-jaw relationship.There is a second reason why forces should not be put on the teeth to prevent complete seating of the condyle-disk as- semblies. This has the effect of putting the teeth in interfer- ence with the completely seated joints, requiring the condyles to displace down and forward from their seated po- sition every time the teeth come together. This is a potent ac- tivator of incoordinated hyperactivity of the masticatory mus- cles and a prime causative factor in occluso-muscle pain.8As you will learn in future chapters, one of the major goals in treatment planning is determining the best way to “get the posterior teeth out of the way” so the condyles can completely seat and the anterior teeth can contact without having to dis- place the condyles from centric relation. The goal of a per- fected occlusion is to have equal intensity, simultaneous con- tact on the posterior teeth when the condyles are completely seated at their uppermost bone-stopping place. Anterior teeth should also contact at this same jaw position so the anterior guidance can do its job of discluding the posterior teeth the moment the mandible starts its excursive movements.