793: The Biggest Misconceptions About Centric Relation Every Dentist Needs to Know – Dr. Jim McKee

If you're intimidated by centric relation, this is the episode for you! To increase your understanding and appreciation of CR, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim McKee, founder of Chicago Study Club, to explain what it means, why it’s misunderstood, and how learning more about it will improve your practice. To hear the myths and misconceptions debunked by one of the masters of occlusion, listen to Episode 793 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. McKee:

• Send Dr. McKee an email: [email protected] 
• Join Dr. McKee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.mckee.104
• Register for Dr. McKee’s TMD Online course: https://courses.phelandentalseminars.com/tmd-pds
• Register for Dr. McKee’s Advanced Occlusion workshop: https://campus.speareducation.com/workshops/advanced-occlusion/details/syllabus
• Register for Dr. McKee’s occlusion seminar: https://campus.speareducation.com/seminars/demystifying-occlusion-1/details/syllabus
• Learn about Chicago Study Club: https://chicagostudyclub.com

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 793: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Watch Episode 649: The Restorative Diagnostic Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX6oU7cnDQU

Main Takeaways:

• Centric relation is simple. It’s normal joints in normal joint sockets.
• Know the difference between fully seated condylar position and CR.
• CR is not for everyone. For some patients, it is not possible to achieve.
• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of being or not being in CR.
• By understanding CR, your confidence level in treatment planning will increase.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:29 Why centric relation is an important topic.

6:51 Advantages of using centric relation.

10:51 Fully seated condylar position versus centric relation.

14:14 Do we need to use centric relation for everybody?

20:22 What to do if the disc isn't in the right position.

22:50 Disadvantages of not achieving centric relation.

29:08 There's only one true diagnosis.

31:22 Who should manage occlusion?

33:47 How to screen for injured joints.

38:55 The importance of imaging.

40:49 How to treat patients who you can't achieve centric relation for.

42:14 Other treatment options.

46:00 About Dr. McKee’s upcoming occlusion courses.

48:42 Final thoughts.

Dr. Jim McKee Bio:

Dr. Jim McKee is a member of the Spear Resident Faculty. He has maintained a private practice since 1984 in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he treats a wide variety of cases with a focus on predictable restorative dentistry. He is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and former president of the American Equilibration Society. He has lectured both nationally and internationally for over 25 years and directs several study clubs. Dr. McKee graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 and earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1984.