Movement from protrusion to maximum intercuspation — what type of occlusal relationship does this create?

Correct answer: B. Cusp to fossa relationship

• A. Canine guidance is an occlusal SCHEME during lateral excursions — not a description of the cusp relationship during intercuspation.
• B. When the mandible moves from protrusion (edge-to-edge) BACK to maximum intercuspation (MIP), the cusps settle INTO the opposing fossae — creating a CUSP-TO-FOSSA relationship. This is the ideal occlusal scheme: buccal cusps of lower teeth occluding in the fossae of upper teeth, and palatal cusps of upper teeth in the fossae of lower teeth.
• C. Cusp-to-cusp relationship occurs in EDGE-TO-EDGE bite or when teeth are in end-to-end contact — not the position of maximum intercuspation.
• D. A posterior open bite means the posterior teeth don't contact at all — the opposite of maximum intercuspation.