Analysis and Comparison of Correlation between Camper's Plane and Natural Occlusal Plane in Normal Dentulous Subjects

Abstract

Background: Orientation of the occlusal plane is one of the most important clinical procedures in the prosthodontic rehabilitation of edentulous patients but definitions of the ala-tragus line (ATL) causes confusion, because the exact points of reference for this line are not clear. Aim:The aim of this study was to corroborate a correlation between Camper's plane and natural occlusal plane in normal dentulous subjects and to ascertain the most relevant posterior reference point for establishing Camper's plane. Materials and methods:In this study, 40 subjects with complete natural dentition and Angel's Class I occlusal relationship were selected. The subjects were photographed in sitting erect posture with head unsupported while clenching on a fox plane. The angles between the following lines were measured using digital screen protractor, the occlusal plane and Ala to superior border of tragus, the occlusal plane and Ala to middle border of tragus, as well as occlusal plane and Ala to inferior border of tragus. Descriptive statistics, one sample t-test and, independent t-test were done to analyze the data. Results:There was no parallelism between the occlusal plane and ATL with three different posterior ends and one sample t-test showed that the angles between them were significantly different from zero (p < 0.001). However, the inferior border of the ATL had the lowest mean angle, 1.99° (4.32) and was almost parallel to the occlusal plane.Conclusion: Ala-tragus line from Ala of the nose to the inferior border of tragus as a posterior reference point can be considered as a reliable occlusal plane for complete denture fabrication.

Relationship between the occlusal plane and three different levels of ala-tragus line in a sample of Sudanese adults

“…In Iranians, the superior border of the tragus was considered the best posterior reference point; in Lebanese, the inferior border was found to be the best reference point, while in Indians, several researchers reported different results. This finding is in agreement with the results of studies carried out by Rathod et al, 12 Karkazis et al, 13 Ghosn et al, 9 and Van Niekerk et al, 14 all of them advocated the use of inferior border of the tragus. On the other hand, the findings of Ismail et al, 5 Krishna et al, 10 Bondekar et al, 15 and Shigli et al, 16 suggested the use of the middle part of the tragus while Madhav, Gupta et al, 8 and Sadr et al, 11 suggested the superior border of the tragus to be the reference point.…”

“…11 There is also the controversy of the occlusal plane orientation using ala-tragus line due to disagreement on the exact point of reference for the posterior landmark, and several researches were done to determine the exact position on the tragus that can be used as the correct guide for the orientation. 12 Hence, it seems important to evaluate the most appropriate ATL for each population.…”

Correlation of “K” plane to occlusal plane and three different ala-tragal lines in dentulous subjects with different skeletal forms: A cephalometric study

“…Nirav et al . [ 8 ] analyzed and found that the mean angular deviation between different ala-tragal lines to the occlusal plane in dentulous subjects was 7.8° ± 4.55°. Subhas et al .…”