3 Relationship between occlusal force, mandibular morphology and three-dimensional facial morphology in normal occlusion

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between occlusal force, mandibular morphology and facial morphology in 60 adults with normal occlusion. We used a non-contact three-dimensional (3D) laser scanner to obtain the 3D facial data. Occlusal force was evaluated using pressure sensitive occlusal sheets. Mandibular morphology was assessed by measuring the Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA) on a lateral cephalogram. We found a significant correlation between occlusal force and FMA in both males and females. Occlusal force and FMA also correlated with facial width, vertical position of the chin, and anteroposterior position of the chin. These results suggest that occlusal force and mandibular morphology influence facial morphology in normal occlusion.