Balanced vs Canine Guidance — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Balanced occlusion retains bilateral posterior contacts; canine guidance discludes posterior teeth in excursion.
Explanation lettering: E = shown as C · C = shown as E
A is correct. Bilateral balanced occlusion aims for simultaneous contacts on both sides during eccentric movements, helping minimise denture displacement in complete-denture treatment. In canine guidance, contact between the canines during lateral excursion causes posterior disclusion. B reverses these definitions. C is incorrect because the schemes have different eccentric contact patterns. D is incorrect because canine-guided occlusion may also be used in complete dentures; it is not confined to natural dentitions, although it is commonly associated with dentate and fixed-prosthodontic occlusion. E is incorrect because balanced occlusion seeks, rather than removes, eccentric contacts, including in protrusion.
Reference: Lemos CAA, et al. Bilateral balanced occlusion compared to other occlusal schemes in complete dentures: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29314199/