a self grinding occlusal plane template that helps adjust occlusal plane before giving any restoration.

1. A self-grinding occlusal plane template to help
modify an uneven occlusal plane before providing
definitive restorations
DR. DHANANJAY D SHETH
MDS 1st YEAR
Department Of Prosthodontics And Crown And Bridge

2. • The plane of occlusion represents the average curvature of the
occlusal surfaces of anterior and posterior teeth rather than a
flat surface.
• An anteroposterior curve, the curve of Spee and the
mediolateral curve, the curve of Wilson determine the position
of posterior teeth.
• Management of patients with uneven occlusal plane is an
essential step for the long term success of the treatment.
• A simple procedure to fabricate a transparent occlusal plane
template is described in this article.
Fabrication of the Custom Made OPT :
1. A polymer ball of 8inches in diameter was selected which
simulates Monson [7] sphere.

3. 1. A single thickness baseplate wax sheet (Modelling Wax;
Deepti Dental Products, Ratnagiri, India) was rolled into the
shape of a normal dentulous-castbase with diameter of around
10cm and secured on the surface of the ball to make a mold.
2. Type III gypsum material (Kalstone; Kalabhai Karson, Mumbai,
India) was poured into this wax-box to make a concave stone-
form.
3. This concave stone-form (Fig. 2) can be used to fabricate OPT
of different shapes according to individual arch symmetry
4. A 2 mm thick, rigid, transparent pressure-thermoforming
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (Biocryl ‘‘C’’ 2.0 9 125 mm,
Scheu Dental GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany) plate was selected
to fabricate the OPT.
5. The PMMA plate was adapted on the concave stoneform by

5. 6. The adapted PMMA plate (Fig. 4) from the stoneform was
separated with care without any damage to the stone-form.
7. The PMMA plate was trimmed by using vacuumform material
trimming bur (Brasseler #H219S.11; Brasseler USA, Savannah,
Ga) to outline the template in the shape of a mandibular arch (U
shape) to fabricate the OPT.
8. Finally the trimmed OPT can be used to evaluate the irregular
and uneven occlusal plane

6. A self-grinding occlusal plane template to help modify an
uneven occlusal plane before providing definitive
restorations
Uneven alignment of the natural teeth is a common clinical occurrence, which may
be caused by eruption, wear, or drifting of teeth.
A normal occlusal plane, such as with a curve of Monson,2,3 is a primary objective
of restorative procedures and facilitates natural mandibular movements and
mastication.
1. Fabricate a custom made OPT .
2. Procure an abrasive paper (Silicone carbide waterproof
abrasive paper electro-coated; Eagle sandpaper) and cut it in
a circular manner according to the size of the circular OPT (10
cm diameter)

8. 3. Cut along the radius of the circular shaped abrasive paper and stick it on the
convex surface of the OPT with a quick-setting cyanoacrylate adhesive (Super
Glue; TEX-YEAR Industries Inc) to make a selfgrinding OPT.
4. For the maxillary cast to modify, the abrasive paper can be glued to the
concave surface of the OPT.
5. Identify a minimum of 4 points: distobuccal cusp tips of the mandibular
right and left first molars and the cusp tips of the mandibular canines on the
diagnostic cast.
6. In situations where any of these 4 cusp tips are not in even occlusal plane,
they need to be modified before grinding. If the identified cusp tips are
damaged or do not occlude, the cusp tips can be built-up with dental stone,
and, if the tip is supra-erupted, it can be trimmed to ensure the identified 4
points are in an even occlusal plane to provide a plane of reference.
7. Apply a thin layer of a quick-setting cyanoacrylate adhesive (Super Glue;
Tex Year Industries Inc) on these identified cusp tips to protect them from
accidental wear during grinding, as these points are considered to form a
plane of reference and as a part of a Monson curve.

10. 8. Paint the occlusal and axial surfaces of all teeth on the cast with student
watercolors (Camlin) (Fig. 2A). Select a color that contrasts with the cast.
9. Use the self-grinding OPT to grind the occlusal surfaces (Fig. 2B). Continue
grinding until the template touches all 4 identified cusp-tips. Note that, the
trimmed surface areas will be easily identifiable on the occlusal surfaces of the
cast
10.Use this modified cast to identify the corresponding areas in mouth for tooth
modification to achieve an even occlusal plane
11.Proceed to adjust the teeth in the mouth in a conventional manner by
considering the amount of tooth reduction (within enamel or superficial dentin)
12.Alternately, adapt a vacuum-formed clear template on the modified cast and cut
the template at the level of the trimmed tooth surfaces with a scalpel blade.
13.Mark the margins of the cuts on the template and place it in the mouth. Note
that the portions of natural teeth protrude through the template, which can be
easily identified for grinding

12. REFERENCES
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patient with deranged mandibular occlusal plane: a case report. Saudi Dent J
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3. Monson GS. Occlusion as applied to crown and bridgework. J Nat Dent Assoc
1920;7:399-413.
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custom-made occlusal plane analyzer: a clinical report. J Prosthet Dent
2007;98:348-52.
5. Yurkstas AA. Single dentures. In: Sharry JJ, editor. Complete denture
prosthodontics. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1968. p. 300.
6. Muley BY, Patil PG, Khalikar AN, Puri SB. Simple technique to fabricate
custom made occlusal plane template. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2014;14(Suppl.
1):S334-6.
7. Tan HK. A preparation guide for modifying the mandibular teeth before making
a maxillary single complete denture. J Prosthet Dent 1997;77:321-2

13. THANK YOU