This article discusses and reviews general principles of jaw relation records, including the purpose of a jaw relation record and the concept of a tripod of vertical support with adequate horizontal stability to allow opposing dental casts to be mounted accurately on an articulator. The use of the maximum intercuspal position for the vast majority of patients is favored when the goal of restorative treatment is to maintain a patient's pretreatment intercuspation and vertical dimension of occlusion. In addition, articulator choice, purpose of a face bow, and materials for jaw relation records are discussed. Common errors in making impressions, pouring impressions,mounting casts, and making interocclusal records are elucidated, providing the practitioner important information with which to avoid inaccuracies that may lead to additional time spent making intraoral occlusal adjustments at the insertion of fixed restorations.