Characteristics of mandible and mandibular dentition in patients with near-normal occlusion and different vertical facial skeletal types

Abstract

Objective The aim of our work is to characterize individual normal occlusions to establish appropriate treatment standards for different vertical facial types. Methods A total of 30 patients with near-normal occlusion were grouped into high-angle group (eight cases), medium-angle group (12 cases), and low-angle group (10 cases) according to vertical facial skeletal type. Invivo5 software was used and digital imaging and communications in medicine data were rebuilt to measure the ∠L1/MP, ∠L6/MP, axis corner of L6, cant of occlusion plane, Balkwill angle, and Bonwill triangle of each group. Results Among the groups, the low-angle group had the smallest ∠L6/MP (P<0.05) and largest cant of occlusion. No significant difference was observed among the three groups with regard to the other parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion Patients with low-angle vertical facial skeletal type requires a modified treatment standard. In this group, the treatment standard must ensure that the cant of occlusion plane is more parallel to the Frankfurt horizontal plane compared with those of the other groups, and the axis of L6 is tilted distally relative to the mandibular plane.