The Occlusal Plane

By Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. – Founder/Director of Occlusion Connections™

Determining the correct orientation of the occlusal plane has been a topic of interest amongst restorative minded dentist.

Occlusal Plane 2 - Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S.

Some clinicians have advocated the use of boney landmarks in the maxillary arch as reference points in establishing a correct maxillary arch orientation relative to horizontal level. The two hamular (H) notches and incisive papilla (IP) have been used as a tripoded reference using equal height post and “fence post) as a means to mount the maxillary dental case.

As one can see in example B above, the skull base has been accurately referenced to the “HIP” reference marks on the Acculiner mounting table according to instructions. It is evident that the skull is oriented in an upward head tilted orientation. This is not physiologic, but rather would represent a strained and abnormal head posture resulting in the maxillary occlusal plane to be incorrectly oriented.

Example A demonstrates a more physiologic skull orientation where the HIP references would in actually be angled downward (posterior to anterior) and parallel to the maxillary occlusal plane. The maxillary occlusal plane is angled relative to the horizontal level mounting table. Lateral cephalograms repeatedly confirm this observation when the patient is unposed and presents with no abnormal muscles strain in the masticatory regions, neck and shoulders.

To Read the complete published article: Review of the Clinical Significance of the Occlusal Plane http://occlusionconnections.com/wp-content/uploads/Review-of-the-Clinical-SignificanceBW-v12.pdf

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The Occlusal Plane

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