[A clinical study on occlusal plane in relation with orofacial morphology and stomatognathic function]

Occlusal plane is one of the important and fundamental factors that establish the mandibular position and the form of dental arch and prosthesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the morphological and functional importance of occlusal plane in relation with orofacial morphology and stomatognathic function. Cephalograms were taken and electromyograms of masseter, anterior and posterior temporal muscles were recorded during clenching, tapping and chewing movements in 30 normal young adult subjects. Mandibular movements were simultaneously recorded using Sirognathograph (Siemens, West Germany). A correlation analysis was performed to study the relationship between the occlusal plane and morphological and functional parameters. As a result, the occlusal plane angle showed; 1) close correlations with the mandibular plane angle, Camper's plane angle and palatal plane angle, 2) correlations with the duration of activity of anterior temporal muscles and the sagittal angle of chewing pathway. The results suggest that there is a close relationship between the occlusal plane and orofacial morphology. Furthermore, the morphological parameters closely related to the occlusal plane were found to affect stomatognathic function. It is concluded that the occlusal plane is the important factor which harmonizes morphology and function of the stomatognathic system.