Determination of the Occlusal Plane Level and Direction. Literature Review

Abstract

The occlusal plane is formed at the point of contact of the occlusal surfaces of upper and lower teeth. Its position determines the location of the dentition in the facial skeleton. In clinical practice, there are many cases, when patients have a change in the vertical dimension of the jaws due to tooth loss, pathological teeth abrasion, restorations without functional anatomy.
 Rehabilitation of such patients is associated with the difficulty of restoring the physiological height of the vertical dimension. Determining the constructive position of the mandible, which is depend by the correct height dimension and position of the jaw in three different planes - sagittal, frontal and transversal - will have a key influence on the characteristics of other important elements of function and aesthetics, such as the occlusal plane.
 The level, direction and curvature of the occlusal plane are important criteria for planning and implementing restorative dental treatment.
 The purpose of this review is to systematize the existing literature data regarding the definition of the concept of the occlusal plane and the methods for finding and constructing it in the process of dental orthopedic treatment.