Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (5): 753-760.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026127

• Review • Previous Articles    

Research progress on the relationship between occlusal plane characteristics and temporomandibular joint

Linyi Han1,2(),Liyuan Zhang1,2()   

  1. 1.Dept. of Stomatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, China
    2.School of Stomatology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, China
  • Received:2025-05-09 Revised:2026-02-08 Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-08-28
  • Contact: Liyuan Zhang E-mail:2656251673@qq.com;13847197306@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Inner Mongolia Medical University General Project(YKD2025MS019)

RichHTML

3

PDF (PC)

11

Abstract:

Within the stomatognathic system, the occlusal plane (OP) and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are closely interrelated and function synergistically. OP influences tooth morphology and masticatory function, and abnormalities in OP may alter the spatial position of the mandible, thereby disrupting the normal relationship between the articular disc and the condyle and acting as a potential predisposing factor for temporomandibular disorders. During clinical orthodontic treatment, as occlusal relationships are adjusted, the TMJ undergoes adaptive remodeling to maintain the functional balance of the stomatognathic system. These adaptive changes facilitate the restoration of physiological occlusal contacts and promote the recovery of TMJ structure and function. Recent advances in three-dimensional imaging techniques and digital occlusal analysis have provided new approaches for investigating the relationship between OP and TMJ. In this paper, relevant studies are reviewed and synthesized to elucidate the association between OP and TMJ, aiming to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for clinical orthodontic treatment.

Key words: occlusal plane, temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular joint disorder

CLC Number: 

  • R782.6

TrendMD: 
[1] Stocum DL, Roberts WE. PartⅠ: development and physiology of the temporomandibular joint[J]. Curr Osteoporos Rep, 2018, 16(4): 360-368.
[2] 沈刚. 伴颞下颌关节病错𬌗畸形的正畸治疗原则与方案[J]. 上海口腔医学, 2021, 30(4): 337-343.
Shen G. The orthodontic therapeutic principles for malocclusions concurring with temporomandibular joint disorders[J]. Shanghai J Stomatol, 2021, 30(4): 337-343.
[3] Han S, Shin SM, Choi YS, et al. Morphometric ana-lysis for evaluating the relation between incisal gui-dance angle, occlusal plane angle, and functional temporomandibular joint shape variation[J]. Acta Odontol Scand, 2018, 76(4): 287-293.
[4] Li JL, Kau C, Wang M. Changes of occlusal plane inclination after orthodontic treatment in different dentoskeletal frames[J]. Prog Orthod, 2014, 15(1): 41.
[5] Lamarque S. The importance of occlusal plane control during orthodontic mechanotherapy[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 1995, 107(5): 548-558.
[6] Downs WB. Variations in facial relationships; their significance in treatment and prognosis[J]. Am J Orthod, 1948, 34(10): 812-840.
[7] 傅民魁. 口腔正畸学[M]. 6版. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2012: 83.
Fu MK. Orthodontics[M]. 6th Ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2012: 83.
[8] Fushima K, Kitamura Y, Mita H, et al. Significance of the cant of the posterior occlusal plane in Class Ⅱdivision 1 malocclusions[J]. Eur J Orthod, 1996, 18(1): 27-40.
[9] Tanaka EM, Sato S. Longitudinal alteration of the occlusal plane and development of different dentoskeletal frames during growth[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2008, 134(5): 602.e1-602.e11, 603.
[10] Haynes S, Chau MN. The reproducibility and repeatability of the Wits analysis[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 1995, 107(6): 640-647.
[11] Du BR, Li KC, Shen ZL, et al. Feasibility of occlusal plane in predicting the changes in anteroposte-rior mandibular position: a comprehensive analysis using deep learning-based three-dimensional models[J]. BMC Oral Health, 2025, 25(1): 42.
[12] 秦一飞, 许天民. 在数字化牙颌模型上确定𬌗平面的可重复性[J]. 北京大学学报(医学版), 2015, 47(3): 536-540.
Qin YF, Xu TM. Reproducibility and repeatability of the determination of occlusal plane on digital dental models[J]. J Peking Univ Health Sci, 2015, 47(3): 536-540.
[13] 何三纲. 口腔解剖生理学[M]. 8版. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2020: 70.
He SG. Oral anatomy and physiology[M]. 8th Ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2020: 70.
[14] Alkhalaf ZA, Sghaireen MG, Issrani R, et al. The effect of accentuation of curve of spee on masticatory efficiency—a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Children (Basel), 2023, 10(3): 511.
[15] Barrera JM, Llamas JM, Espinar E, et al. Wilson maxillary curve analyzed by CBCT. A study on normocclusion and malocclusion individuals[J]. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 2013, 18(3): e547-e552.
[16] Sato M, Motoyoshi M, Hirabayashi M, et al. Inclination of the occlusal plane is associated with the direction of the masticatory movement path[J]. Eur J Orthod, 2007, 29(1): 21-25.
[17] 朱锦怡, 龚衍吉, 郑芳杰, 等. 咬合异常与颞下颌关节紊乱症的关系再思考[J]. 口腔医学, 2024, 44(1): 24-30.
Zhu JY, Gong YJ, Zheng FJ, et al. Reevaluation of the association between the malocclusion and temporomandibular disorders[J]. Stomatology, 2024, 44(1): 24-30.
[18] Čelar A, Tafaj E, Graf A, et al. Association of ante-rior and posterior occlusal planes with different Angle and skeletal classes in permanent dentitions: a lateral cephalometric radiograph study[J]. J Orofac Orthop, 2018, 79(4): 267-276.
[19] Guo DH, Gao J, Qin W, et al. Correlation of occlusion asymmetry and temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study[J]. Int Dent J, 2025, 75(3): 2053-2061.
[20] Li XX, Shan XL, Zhang ST, et al. The correlation analysis between incisal guidance angle and occlusal plane angles and temporomandibular joint morphology[J]. Clin Oral Investig, 2024, 28(8): 455.
[21] Camacho-Álvarez FE, Martínez-Contreras SP, Rodríguez-Chávez JA, et al. Characteristics of the occlusal plane associated with unilateral and bilateral articular eminence inclination: a cross-sectional CBCT study[J]. Dent J, 2024, 12(10): 316.
[22] 金田玉. 骨性Ⅰ类成人颞下颌关节形态结构与牙齿咬合特征的相关性分析[D]. 南昌: 南昌大学, 2023.
Jin TY. Correlation between temporomandibular joint morphological structure and occlusal characte-ristics in adults with skeletal classⅠmalocclusion[D]. Nanchang: Nanchang University, 2023.
[23] Rong H, Long HQ, Liu LX, et al. Clinical study on the posterior occlusal plane and morphology of temporomandibular joint[J]. Int J Morphol, 2019, 37(4): 1347-1352.
[24] 李博, 胡晟奭, 常新. 牙列咬合特征与颞下颌关节紊乱综合征关系研究[J]. 中国实用口腔科杂志, 2016, 9(7): 423-426.
Li B, Hu SS, Chang X. The relationship between occlusal features and temporomandibular disorders[J]. Chin J Pract Stomatol, 2016, 9(7): 423-426.
[25] Yildirim E, Karacay S, Erkan M. Condylar response to functional therapy with Twin-Block as shown by cone-beam computed tomography[J]. Angle Orthod, 2014, 84(6): 1018-1025.
[26] Keller DC, Carano A. Eminence-posterior occlusal plane angle in patients with temporomandibular disorders[J]. Cranio, 1991, 9(2): 159-164.
[27] Yurchenko M, Hubálková H, Charvát J. Selected muscle tone and asymmetry of the occlusal plane in case of intracapsular temporomandibular joint disorder[J]. Cranio, 2024, 42(3): 267-278.
[28] Pascu L, Haiduc RS, Almășan O, et al. Occlusion and temporomandibular disorders: a scoping review[J]. Medicina, 2025, 61(5): 791.
[29] 刘之奥, 徐卫华, 郑之峻. 基于CBCT的后段𬌗平面和下颌骨形态间相关性研究[J]. 口腔医学研究, 2019, 35(11): 1078-1083.
Liu ZA, Xu WH, Zheng ZJ. Correlation between posterior occlusal plane and mandibular morphology: a CBCT study[J]. J Oral Sci Res, 2019, 35(11): 1078-1083.
[30] Coro JC, Velasquez RL, Coro IM, et al. Relationship of maxillary 3-dimensional posterior occlusal plane to mandibular spatial position and morphology[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2016, 150(1): 140-152.
[31] Ogawa T, Koyano K, Suetsugu T. The relationship between inclination of the occlusal plane and jaw closing path[J]. J Prosthet Dent, 1996, 76(6): 576-580.
[32] Hu HN, Lin WR, Wu J, et al. Research on the correlation between the size of condyle and occlusion plane in skeletal ClassⅡmalocclusions[J]. Clin Exp Dent Res, 2022, 8(6): 1547-1554.
[33] Cifter ED. Effects of occlusal plane inclination on the temporomandibular joint stress distribution: a three-dimensional finite element analysis[J]. Int J Clin Pract, 2022, 2022: 2171049.
[34] Toro-Ibacache V, Montecino M, Espinosa S. The mechanical response of the condylar process of the mandible under changes of the occlusal plane inclination[J]. J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 2025, 53(6): 674-680.
[35] Yoshikawa S, Nodai E, Habu M, et al. Influence of altered occlusal plane on rabbit temporomandibular joint cartilage[J]. J Oral Pathol Med, 2008, 37(1): 30-37.
[36] Gong YJ, Zhu JY, Zheng FJ, et al. Associations between condylar height relative to occlusal plane and condylar osseous condition and TMJ loading based on 3D measurements and finite element analysis[J]. Sci Rep, 2024, 14(1): 28919.
[37] 钟嘉伟, 范佩迪, 胡首杉, 等. 前后𬌗平面与颞下颌骨关节病关系的影像研究[J]. 华西口腔医学杂志, 2023, 41(3): 297-304.
Zhong JW, Fan PD, Hu SS, et al. Imaging study on the relationship between anterior and posterior occlusal planes and temporomandibular osteoarthrosis[J]. West China J Stomatol, 2023, 41(3): 297-304.
[38] Kwon HB, Kim H, Jung WS, et al. Gender diffe-rences in dentofacial characteristics of adult patients with temporomandibular disc displacement[J]. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2013, 71(7): 1178-1186.
[39] Chen S, Lei J, Fu KY, et al. Cephalometric analysis of the facial skeletal morphology of female patients exhibiting skeletal ClassⅡdeformity with and wi-thout temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis[J]. PLoS One, 2015, 10(10): e0139743.
[40] Shigeta Y, Ogawa T, Nakamura Y, et al. Structural equation modeling for alteration of occlusal plane inclination[J]. J Prosthodont Res, 2015, 59(3): 185-193.
[41] Lin YL, Lin Y, Fang F, et al. The effect of orthodontic treatment on temporomandibular joint morphology in adult skeletal Class Ⅱ deep overbite patients[J]. Am J Transl Res, 2021, 13(8): 9070-9075.
[42] Wang HJ, Jiang L, Yi YT, et al. Camouflage treatment guided by facial improvement in hyperdivergent skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion[J]. Ann Transl Med, 2022, 10(4): 163.
[43] 王明锋, 李爽, 刘琳. 减小后牙𬌗平面倾斜度对安氏Ⅱ类高角畸形髁突位置影响的研究[J]. 上海口腔医学, 2018, 27(4): 386-389.
Wang MF, Li S, Liu L. Influence on the condyle position by decreasing posterior occlusal plane angle in Class Ⅱ high angle cases[J]. Shanghai J Stomatol, 2018, 27(4): 386-389.
[44] Chen YX, Li LF, Li Y, et al. Comprehensive positional and morphological assessments of the temporomandibular joint in adolescents with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion: a retrospective CBCT study[J]. BMC Oral Health, 2023, 23(1): 78.
[45] Shido R, Morita Y, Nishioka-Sakamoto K, et al. Occlusal plane angle as a key factor for chin protrusion after mandibular osteotomy in skeletal class Ⅲ[J]. J Craniofac Surg, 2023, 34(8): 2343-2346.
[46] De Clerck H, Nguyen T, de Paula LK, et al. Three-dimensional assessment of mandibular and glenoid fossa changes after bone-anchored Class Ⅲ intermaxillary traction[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2012, 142(1): 25-31.
[47] Lu Y, Zhang WH, Zhao BJ, et al. Vertical control of a severe hyperdivergent skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion with steep posterior occlusal plane in a camouflage case[J]. Medicina, 2022, 58(9): 1217.
[48] Marlière DAA, Costa TE, de Matos Barbosa S, et al. Alteration of occlusal plane in orthognathic surgery: clinical features to help treatment planning on class Ⅲ patients[J]. Case Rep Dent, 2018, 2018: 2495262.
[49] 刘吉玥, 刘奕. 咬合调整对颞下颌关节紊乱病的影响[J]. 中国实用口腔科杂志, 2023, 16(2): 147-151, 155.
Liu JY, Liu Y. Effect of occlusal adjustment on temporomandibular disorders[J]. Chin J Pract Stomatol, 2023, 16(2): 147-151, 155.
[50] Hoshi K, Deguchi T, Goto M, et al. Stomatognathic functional improvement in a patient with a canted occlusal plane and temporomandibular disorder trea-ted with an edgewise appliance and miniscrews[J]. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2022, 161(1): 140-157.
[1] Jingjing Li,Linlin Shao,Qing Yu. Vibrational characteristics of the temporomandibular joints in patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2026, 53(4): 537-544.
[2] Meiqing Wang. Juvenile idiopathic condylar resorption may fundamentally represent condylar cartilage degradation associated with pathological remodeling at growth and developmental stage initiated by aberrant occlusion [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2026, 53(2): 145-154.
[3] Jing Lan,Jun Wu. Contrastive analysis of occlusal plane canting among adult patients with average-angle profiles with class Ⅰ, class Ⅱ1, and class Ⅲ malocclusions [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2026, 53(1): 26-35.
[4] Rong Li,Qing Zhao. Treatment of adult Class Ⅱ division 2 malocclusion based on temporomandibular joint [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(6): 687-698.
[5] Taoli Zhang,Yanji Gong,Fang Liu,Qinlanhui Zhang,Yang Liu. Association of the degenerative changes of the temporomandibular joint with craniofacial morphology and the internal structures of temporomandibular joint [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(5): 642-652.
[6] Jingwen Han,Lei Wang,Shiqi Ren,Hongyu Wang,Yingyi Huang,Jiamin Li,Yan Zheng. Correlation between morphological characteristics of the temporomandibular joint and three-dimensional mandi-bular growth in adolescents [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(4): 456-466.
[7] Qing Xue,Huichuan Qi,Min Hu. Research progress of primary cilia in bone remodelling and reconstruction of temporomandibular joint cartilage under mechanical stress [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(2): 201-207.
[8] Han Jingwen,Ren Shiqi,Liu Xingyu,Lang Xin,Chu Mengshi,Waseem Saleh Abdo Kaid Algumaei,Zheng Yan. Features of condyles of adult patients with different vertical and sagittal skeletal facial types [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2022, 49(2): 153-162.
[9] Zhang Zhe,Liu Jin,Wang Weihong,Chen Zhiqiang,Yang Chun,Liu Li. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease complicated by temporomandibular joint dislocation [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2021, 48(6): 664-667.
[10] Yin Xiaoli,Liu Yang,Wang Jun. Internal structural changes of the temporomandibular joint associated with mandibular lateral displacement [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2020, 47(5): 567-573.
[11] Lin Yangyang,Hou Min. Effect of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy operation on the displacement of proximal segment of mandible [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2019, 46(6): 718-723.
[12] Jun Guo,Wei Fei,Qinghua Li. Animal research for the prognostic mechanism of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankyloses [J]. Inter J Stomatol, 2019, 46(1): 12-19.
[13] Li Jing, Liu Xingchen, Li Jiayuan, Li Xiaobing. Stabilization splint treatment for chronic temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction: a systematic review based on randomized controlled trials [J]. Inter J Stomatol, 2017, 44(4): 405-410.
[14] Liu Yang, Zhao Hanchi. Rehabilitation of worn dentition complicated by clicking joint [J]. Inter J Stomatol, 2017, 44(1): 11-18.
[15] Hu Xinxin, Zhu Yaomin, Zheng Cangshang. Research progress on idiopathic condylar resorption [J]. Inter J Stomatol, 2016, 43(4): 412-416.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!