Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
Proposed parameters of optimal central incisor positioning in orthodontic treatment planning: A systematic review
Linda Sangalli1,2, Domenico Dalessandri1, Stefano Bonetti1
1Dental School, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Objective:
Planning of incisal position is crucial for optimal orthodontic treatment outcomes due to its consequences on facial esthetics and occlusion. A systematic summary of the proposed parameters is presented.
Methods:
Studies on Google Scholar©, PubMed©, and Cochrane Library, providing quantitative information on optimal central incisor position were included.
Results:
Upper incisors supero-inferior position (4-5 mm to upper lip, 67-73 mm to axial plane through pupils), antero-posterior position (3-4 mm to Nasion-A, 3-6 mm to A-Pogonion, 9-12 mm to true vertical line, 5 mm to A-projection, 9-10 mm to coronal plane through pupils), bucco-lingual angulation (4-7° to occlusal plane perpendicular on models, 20-22° to Nasion-A, 57-58° to upper occlusal plane, 16-20° to coronal plane through pupils, 108-110° to anterior-posterior nasal spine), mesio-distal angulation (5° to occlusal plane perpendicular on models). Lower incisors supero-inferior position (41-48 mm to soft-tissue mandibular plane), antero-posterior position (3-4 mm to Nasion-B, 1-3 mm to A-Pogonion, 12-15 mm to true vertical line, 6-8 mm to coronal plane through pupils), bucco-lingual angulation (1-4° to occlusal plane perpendicular on models, 87-94° to mandibular plane, 68° to Frankfurt plane, 22-25° to Nasion-B, 105° to occlusal plane, 64° to lower occlusal plane, 21° to A-Pogonion), mesio-distal angulation (2° to occlusal plane perpendicular on models).
Conclusions:
Although these findings can provide clinical guideline, they derive from heterogeneous studies in terms of subject characteristics and reference methods. Therefore, the optimal incisal position remains debatable.

