HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is the term for recording the occlusion of both arches?

1. Bite registration

2. Jaw alignment

3. Tooth impression

4. Prosthetic fitting

The correct answer is: Bite registration

The term for recording the occlusion of both arches is bite registration. This process involves capturing the relationship between the upper and lower teeth when they come together, which is essential for various dental procedures, including the creation of dentures, crowns, and bridges. Accurate bite registration ensures that dental restorations are constructed to fit the patient's occlusion properly, leading to better function and comfort. The other options provided do not specifically capture the relation between both arches in the same capacity. Jaw alignment refers to the positioning of the jaw bones, which doesn’t necessarily include the occlusal relationship of the teeth. Tooth impression is focused on creating a mold of a single arch or individual teeth, rather than the registration of how both arches come together. Prosthetic fitting involves the placement of dental prosthetics into the mouth but does not denote the method of occlusal recording itself. Thus, bite registration is the only term that accurately describes this important dental recording technique.