Occlusal plane orientation in patients with dentofacial anomalies based on morphometric cranio-facial measurements

Abstract

Based on 79 lateral projection head teleroentgenograms obtained from relatively young patients (median age, 37.4 +/- 4.3), we have developed a method for the occlusal plane orientation in view of cranio-facial anatomical reference points. As stable anthropometric reference points, we employed the gnathic angle shaped by the spinal and mandibular planes, as well as the interalveolar angle, where the subspinal Downs point and the supramental point were employed as retention elements. When reconstructing the occlusal plane in patients with dentoalveolar anomalies, the construction of the bisector of the interalveolar angle was explained as a key reference point, which allows diagnosing occlusion anomalies in the vertical direction (symmetrical and asymmetric) not only in the lateral, yet also in the frontal segment of the dental arches. The method developed for constructing the occlusal plane does not depend on the position of the incisors and the second permanent molars, which can be used to identify the vertical deformation of the dental arches