Relationship between occlusal plane and ala-tragus line in dentate individuals: A Clinical pilot study

Abstract

Many methods have been used to establish the occlusal plane in complete denture prosthodontics. However, no single method seems to be fully accepted. Anteriorly, esthetic considerations help define the occlusal plane, and posteriorly the tongue, retromolar pad, and Stenson′s duct are considered. Some dentists bisect the space between the residual ridges. The technique of using the ala-tragus line (Camper′s line) to establish the occlusal plane is well documented. However, definitions of the ala-tragus line cause confusion, because the exact points of reference do not agree. For example, the glossary of prosthodontic terms states that the ala-tragus line runs from the inferior border of the ala of the nose to the superior border of the tragus of the ear while Spratley′ describes it as running from the center of the ala to the center of the tragus. This article concerns us the exact relationship between the occlusal plane and ala-tragus line in dentate individuals.

Keywords

• Ala-tragus
• Camper′s plane
• complete dentures
• edentulous
• plane of occlusion