Orientation of the plane of occlusion.

A study was made of 28 dentulous Chinese Singaporean adults, using lateral skull radiographs. Various craniofacial reference lines and their relations to the maxillary occlusal line were analyzed. The orientation of the natural occlusal line in Chinese adults differed significantly from Swedish white adults. The Frankfort horizontal line in particular was considered disadvantageous as a clinical reference plane largely because of the acknowledged variation of its inclination between Chinese Singaporean and Swedish white adults. The shallow anatomic cant of the maxillary occlusal line in the Chinese patient could be misrepresented by a steep mechanical inclination on the articulator.

Serious circulatory disturbance after Le Fort I osteotomy. A case report.

Severe impairment of the blood supply occurred in a patient who underwent a Le Fort I type osteotomy in which the fragment was displaced in a cranio-dorsal direction. Necrosis with sequestration of the torus palatinus present and some permanent parodontal damage ensued. Alternative procedures and management of developing circulatory impairment during surgery are discussed.

The relationship of upper facial proportions and the plane of occlusion to anatomic reference planes.

A study was made of 28 dentulous Chinese (Singaporean) adults by using lateral skull radiographs. The dimensions of the maxillae and various craniofacial reference lines related to prosthodontic use were analyzed. The craniofacial reference angles that reflect the vertical height and horizontal depth of the maxillae in Chinese adults differed significantly from the norms obtained in a white North American adult population. By comparison, Chinese adults have a vertically high and horizontally receded upper face that could cause planes such as the Frankfort horizontal plane or an arbitrary axis-orbitale plane to assume a steeper anterior inclination, thus modifying the mechanical inclination of the maxillary cast and occlusal plane on the articulator.

Long-term dental management of cleft patients (Part 1).

This review paper examines the problems associated with the cleft patient and presents a scheme of management. Timing of each procedure is important, with particular emphasis on speech and maxillary development. The role of orthodontics is discussed.