A comparison of 3 methods of face-bow transfer recording: implications for orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the occlusal plane inclination of models mounted using 3 different systems for face-bow transfer with the actual occlusal plane inclination as measured on a cephalometric radiograph.


METHODS
Twenty-two subjects were enrolled in this study. Three alginate impressions of the maxillary dentition were taken, and 3 stone dental models were produced for each subject. Face-bow recordings were obtained on each subject using the SAM Anatomical Face-bow (Great Lakes Orthodontics Products, Ltd, Tonawanda, NY), the Erickson Surgical Face-bow (Great Lakes Orthodontics Products, Ltd) and a new technique developed by one of the authors (J.G.). For each subject, the dental models were mounted on a SAM articulator using each of the 3 face-bow recordings. Finally, a lateral cephalometric radiograph was obtained for each subject. The occlusal plane inclination was measured on the models and on the cephalometric radiographs. Differences among groups were tested using a 1-way analysis of variance. Bonferroni test was used for post hoc comparison between different pairs of groups.


RESULTS
The average occlusal plane inclination using the SAM Anatomical Face-bow was 7.8 degrees +/- 4.2 degrees greater than the actual-a difference that was statistically significant. The mean occlusal plane inclination of the models obtained using the Erickson Surgical Face-bow was 4.4 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees greater than the actual-a difference that was also statistically significant. The mean occlusal plane inclination of the models obtained by the new technique was only 0.9 degrees +/- 1.2 degrees greater than the actual; this difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The new mounting technique is more accurate than the conventional SAM Face-bow or the Erickson Face-bow for reproducing the actual occlusal plane inclination.
Gateno
J
J
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Forrest
K K
KK
Camp
B
B
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000379:methods*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D003765:Models, Dental; D015588:Observer Variation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology