Which term describes the absence of posterior interference during occlusion?

• A. Absence of posterior interference
• B. Centric Occlusion
• C. Occlusal Load
• D. Group Function

Answer: (A)

Absence of posterior interference describes exactly the situation in which the back teeth do not contact in a way that disrupts movement during occlusion. This phrasing directly communicates the idea you’re being tested on: there are no posterior teeth causing interference as the mandible moves or closes.

Centric occlusion is the position of the mandible when the teeth are in maximum intercuspation, but this does not by itself guarantee that there’s no interference from posterior teeth during movements—interferences can exist even in that position. Occlusal load refers to the forces transmitted through the bite, not the pattern of tooth contacts. Group function describes a lateral occlusion scheme where multiple posterior teeth may contact during excursion to distribute load, which is about contact pattern during movement rather than the absence of interference.

So the term that best matches the described concept is the one that literally states the absence of posterior interference.