Changes in occlusion related to the cant of the occlusal plane.

It is known that dental occlusion is influenced by changes in the cant of the occlusal plane. This study has defined the geometric and mathematical relationships between dental occlusion and rotations of the occlusal plane in the sagittal view. As a general clinical guide, each degree of rotation of the occlusal plane will result in a half millimeter change in the dental occlusal relationship. This is of importance, because changes in the cant of the occlusal plane are sometimes unintentional, as well as intentional, during orthodontic therapy. An earlier study has also documented that the occlusal plane rotates naturally upward and forward approximately 6 degrees during growth and development. This phenomenon tends to develop a Class II dental relation and therefore has important implications for the developing dentition.