Comparison of Skeletal and Dental Reference Planes with the Hamulus-Incisive-Papilla Plane: A Pilot Study on 3D Reconstructed Tomographies of the Skull.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the hamulus-incisive-papilla (HIP) plane as an alternative for transferring the three-dimensional position of a patient's maxilla to an articulator.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Camper, Frankfurt horizontal, occlusal, and HIP planes were evaluated in 21 patients' computed tomography scans and compared to one another.

RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed significant differences between all planes, with the HIP plane being closest to the occlusal plane (HIP-OP: 0.6 ± 4.0 degrees). Frankfurt and Camper planes, being more peripheral, showed higher geometric asymmetries.

CONCLUSION: The HIP plane, when used for articulator mounting, results in a closer and more technically reliable patient relationship in a clinical and laboratory context.