title: The occlusal plane in the facial context: inter-operator repeatability of a new three-dimensional method.
abstract: The repeatability of a non-invasive digital protocol proposed to evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) position of the occlusal plane in the face is assessed. Dental virtual models and soft tissue facial morphology of 20 adult subjects were digitally integrated using a 3D stereophotogrammetric imaging system. The digital 3D coordinates of facial and dental landmarks were obtained by two different operators. Camper's (facial) and occlusal (dental) planes were individuated, and their 3D relationships were measured. The repeatability of the protocol was investigated and showed no significant differences in repeated digitizations. The angle between occlusal and Camper's planes was smaller than 2° in the frontal and horizontal projections. In the sagittal projection, the angle was observed to be, on average, 4.9°. The determined occlusal plane pitch, roll and yaw values show good agreement with previously published data obtained by different protocols. The current non-invasive method was repeatable, without inter-operator differences and can facilitate assessment of healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Morphology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosati
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Menezes
authors.forename: Virgilio F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.forename: Chiarella
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sforza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D003765:Models, Dental; D015588:Observer Variation; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D010780:Photogrammetry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult