Evaluation of the posterior reference point of ala tragus line in relation to occlusal plane and Frankfort horizontal plane through cephalometry in Sangareddy (Telangana) population

Abstract

The Occlusal plane (OP) inclination is determined by paralleling the ala- tragus line to the occlusal plane. The location of the ala-tragus line is unclear because the exact location of the posterior reference tragal point is controversial. Additionally, morphological variations are observed between different ethnic groups. Therefore, evaluation of the exact reference point on the tragus is important. The study aimed to determine the most reliable posterior reference point on the ala‑tragus line that forms the most parallel line with the natural OP among the dentate Sangareddy volunteers from Telangana. Prosthodontically related craniofacial reference lines and angles of lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed for 25 dentate volunteers. Stainless steel balls were attached to the ala of the nose (A) and three points corresponding to the inferior (I), middle (M), and superior (S) points on the tragus. The angle formed by each line (IA, MA, and SA planes) with the OP and Frankfort horizontal (FH) plane were measured on cephalometric tracings.