INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

What phenomena creates a distal space between maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth when the mandible is protruded?

1. Freeway space phenomenon

2. Bennett's movement

3. Christensen's phenomenon

4. Mutually protected occlusion

The correct answer is: Christensen's phenomenon

Christensen's phenomenon consists of an increase in horizontal separation between the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth when the mandible is protruded. Option A, the Freeway space phenomenon, refers to the vertical space between the upper and lower teeth when the mandible is in its most relaxed and unstrained position. Option B, Bennett's movement, refers to the medial rotation of the mandibular condyle during lateral movement of the mandible. Option D, Mutually protected occlusion, is a type of bite relation where the posterior teeth are protected from excessive forces by the anterior teeth during excursions. These options do not accurately describe the phenomenon of a distal space between the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth when the mandible is protruded.