A Comparative Study on Measurement of Maxillary Occlusal Cant Obtained through Facebow Transfer and Using Lateral CEPH.: An in vivo Study

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare measurements of maxillary occlusal cant obtained through facebow transfer and through lateral cephalogram.

Method: 40 subjects were included in this study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two groups: dentulous and edentulous. For edentulous subjects, all the steps of complete denture fabrication were carried out and finished dentures were delivered. Alginate impressions were now made for all the subjects (with complete denture worn in edentulous cases) for both upper and lower arches. The study was conducted in two parts. Facebow transfer was done next and casts were mounted. In first part of the study, sagittal inclination was measured after facebow transfer. After mounting of the casts, four points were marked to measure the inclination of the occlusal plane. In second part, cephalometric evaluation of occlusal plane and Frankfurt horizontal plane was carried out. Angle between Frankfurt horizontal plane and the occlusal plane was maxillary occlusal cant. which was evaluated by tracing. Paired t test was used to compare mean facebow values and lateral ceph values in edentulous subjects. Intergroup comparison between lateral ceph and mean facebow values between dentulous and edentulous subjects was evaluated using independent t test.

Results: Facebow measurements gave comparatively higher values in both dentulous and edentulous patients and are subjected to less variation as compared to the lateral cephalogram values p<0.0001.

Conclusion: The occlusal plane angle of lateral cephalogram was found to be significantly different from angle obtained through facebow transfer.