Reliability of anatomic reference planes in establishing the occlusal plane in different jaw relationships: a cephalometric study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of different anatomic reference planes in determination of Occlusal plane in dentulous and edentulous subjects with Angle's class I and class II Maxillomandibular relationship. Eighty subjects were included in the study which was divided into four Groups based on dentition and skeletal relationship. The Group I (n = 20) and Group II (n = 20) includes young and completely dentulous subjects in Angle's class I and class II relationship, respectively. The Group III (n = 20) and Group IV (n = 20) subjects were completely edentulous in Angle's class I and class II relationship, respectively. For all subjects, right lateral cephalograms were taken and cephalometric analysis was done and data obtained from cephalometric tracings were then statistically analyzed. The results showed no significant difference of angle between Occlusal plane and Frankfort Horizontal plane, Camper's plane and Palatal plane when Group I and Group III, and Group II and Group IV subjects were compared. The Frankfort Horizontal plane, Camper's plane and the Palatal plane may be used as a reliable guide to establish Occlusal plane in edentulous subjects in both Angle's class I and class II Maxillomandibular relationships.