[Cephalometric determination of the occlusion plane: the Broadrick flag technique]

Based on the principle of the sphere of MONSON, the Broadrick flag technique constitutes a relatively simple means to determine the plan of occlusion, by using a radius fixes of 104 mm. The theory of MONSON was debated a long time. Our work consists of a clinical study realized in the CCTD of Casablanca, on 31 completely toothed cases normocclusion. Its objective was triple: to calculate on the profile teleradiographies, the anatomical and geometrical rays used for the construction of SPEE curve, to see if there is concordance between these two rays and finally to compare them with the theoretical value of 104 mm. From the obtained results it would seem that: The 104 mm value, cannot be considered as a standard average to be used to determine the curve of occlusion, also the articulator such as it is designed currently cannot be used in all the patient's about is the values of their rays. In the absence of molars, the anatomical radius cannot be used in place of the geometrical radius to determine the curve of occlusion. The measured gap between the obtained curve and the plan of occlusion remains not insignificant, he can reach 3 mm for the anatomical radius and 3,5 mm for the geometrical radius. In the total edentate, the cephalometric determination of occlusion plane, by basing itself on the anatomical radius or the geometrical radius is not possible.