Occlusal Plane Location in Edentulous Patients: A Review

Abstract

Occlusal plane orientation is an important factor in the construction of a complete denture. Occlusal plane could be oriented using landmarks in the mandibular arch as well as in the maxillary arch. In the mandibular arch there are few landmarks which could be used to orient the occlusal plane like the retromolar pad, corner of the lips (lower lip length) whereas the maxillary arch has a number of landmarks, of which the ala-tragal line is the most commonly used and the same being the most controversial. In the following article different landmarks and its accuracy for orientating the occlusal plane in an edentulous subject as studied by various authors has been discussed.

Position of Occlusal Plane in Dentate Patients with Reference to the Ala‐Tragal Line Using a Custom‐Made Occlusal Plane Analyzer

“…Among the many factors that lead to successful treatment of edentulous patients with complete dentures, orientation of the occlusal plane is an important one . The occlusal plane location is lost in edentulous patients and should be positioned accurately if complete dentures are to function satisfactorily .…”

“…Among the many factors that lead to successful treatment of edentulous patients with complete dentures, orientation of the occlusal plane 1 is an important one. 2 The occlusal plane location is lost in edentulous patients and should be positioned accurately if complete dentures are to function satisfactorily. 3 The position of the occlusal plane forms the basis for ideal teeth arrangement and should fulfill the necessary mechanical, esthetic, and phonetic requirements, as well as aid in respiration and deglutition.…”

Layperson’s Preference Regarding Orientation of Transverse Occlusal Plane from the Frontal Perspective in Fabrication of a Complete Denture: A Cross-sectional Study

“…There is also a tendency for the accumulation of food in the buccal and lingual sulci. An occlusal plane that is too low could lead to tongue and cheek biting [2].…”

Effect Of Using Two Splinted Mini-Implants Versus Two Conventional Implants Retaining Mandibular Overdenture On Crestal Bone Loss

“…(17) The age of the selected patients ranged between 55 and 65 years to avoid the effect of age changes on the condition of the oral mucosa, residual ridge, muscle tone and temporomandibular joint. (18) Only male patients were selected to participate in this study to avoid the effect of sex related variations and to avoid the effect of sex related hormonal changes which were reported to contribute to mucosal changes and osteoporosis. (19) Female patients were excluded due to high prevalence of post-menopausal osteoporosis, which might result in altered bone metabolism and reduced healing capacity.…”