A simplified technique for determining the occlusal plane in full denture construction

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Establishing the occlusal plane is a critical step in full denture fabrication.
• Students often face challenges in accurately determining the occlusal plane during the registration stage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simple, teachable technique for determining the occlusal plane in full denture treatment.
• To address the difficulties students encounter with existing methods.

Main Methods:

• A review of existing literature on occlusal plane determination techniques and landmarks was conducted.
• A novel technique utilizing direct vision was developed and described.
• The technique's validity was assessed through a review of patient cases.

Main Results:

• Various landmarks and techniques for occlusal plane determination are discussed.
• The described direct vision technique is presented as a practical solution.
• Patient case reviews indicated the technique is valid for the majority of cases.

Conclusions:

• The devised direct vision technique simplifies occlusal plane determination for students in full denture treatment.
• This method offers a valid and easily teachable approach for achieving accurate results in most clinical scenarios.