Use of Anatomical Landmark in Locate Occlusal Plane.

Occlusal plane \"the average plane established by the incisal and occlusal surfaces of the teeth -The glossary of prosthodontic terms. Generally, it is not a plane but represents the planar mean of the curvature of these surfaces\". Correct orientation of the occlusal plane plays a vital role in achieving optimal aesthetics, occlusal balance and function of complete dentures. Faulty orientation of occlusal plane in fixed or removable prostheses will affect the interaction between tongue and buccinator muscle resulting in food collection in sulcus and cheek or tongue biting. The occlusal plane is normally established anteriorly according to aesthetics of patient and posteriorly parallel to camper\'s plane. In the mandibular arch there are few landmarks which could be used to orient the occlusal plane like the retromolar pad, commissure of the lips and lateral borders of the tongue. Various landmark have been used to orient the occlusal plane in the maxillary arch e.g. parotid papilla, hamular notch- incisive papilla plane, ala-tragus line. There is no single method seems entirely accurate to locate the occlusal plane in edentulous patients. Therefore ,Investigators need a stable anatomic landmark can be used as a guide to determine occlusal plane (OP). Material and Methods: Forty Dentulous patients will be selected. All subjects had natural maxillary and mandibular teeth. In addition all subjects exhibited Class I skeletal and dental relationships with no prosthetic dental replacement. Subjects with Claa II or Class III relationships,fractured or abraded edges of the teeth,ankyloglossia and orthodontic treatment were excluded from the study. The mandibular posterior occlusal plane was determined according to the level of coronoid notch{CN} (greatest concavity anterior border of the ramus) by measure the distance between the occlusal plane and CN.