Longitudinal alteration of the occlusal plane and development of different dentoskeletal frames during growth

Valuable information about growth and development in different types of occlusions and skeletal frames can be obtained by analyzing longitudinal data, particularly the functional significance of the occlusal plane; this information is important for understanding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of malocclusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the cant of the occlusal plane and mandibular position to establish a functional determinant in the development of different dentoskeletal frames in longitudinal growth samples.Several measurements were analyzed and compared in a total sample of 406 lateral cephalograms of 102 orthodontically untreated white patients taken at different ages of the growing period from the Burlington Growth Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Regarding changes related to the cant of the occlusal plane, a progressive tendency was seen through the years for consistency (significance and correlation) between maxillary posterior occlusal plane inclination (FH-OP[P] and Mx-OP[P] angles) and mandibular position (SNB angle) reflected in the appearance of a certain type of dentoskeletal frame (APDI and ANB angles). Statistically significant correlations (P <0.0000) were found between the angle of the Frankfort plane-maxillary posterior occlusal plane and the anteroposterior dysplasia indicator, the maxillary posterior occlusal plane angle and the anteroposterior dysplasia indicator, the maxillary posterior occlusal plane angle and the angle of the palatal plane-mandibular plane, the angle of the Frankfort plane-maxillary posterior occlusal plane and the SNB angle, and the maxillary posterior occlusal plane angle and the SNB angle.There is a possible relationship between the inclination of the maxillary posterior occlusal plane and mandibular position, consistent with the etiology of different dentoskeletal frames. Thus, a more comprehensive etiologic approach based on the inclination of the maxillary posterior occlusal plane should be considered in the correction of malocclusion.