Precise orientation of the occlusal plane plays a vital role in providing optimal esthetic, phonetics and mastication. It has been a great deal of controversy regarding the anatomic reference point taken in identifying ala-tragus line to which the occlusal plane is oriented parallel while making complete denture. Purpose: To determine accurately the part of tragus to be used to form the ala-tragus line or camper’s line while establishing the occlusal plane by comparing dentulous and edentulous patient using photographic and cephalometric methods. Methodology: Total 60 subjects were selected and divided into two groups dentulous and edentulous. Downs analysis was used for base value. Lateral cephalogram and life size lateral profile photographs in natural head position were taken in all subjects. Three points were marked on tragus as superior, Middle and inferior and were joined with ala of the nose to form ala-tragus lines. The angle formed by each line with FH plane was measured. In dentulous subjects angle between FH plane and the natural occlusal plane was measured both in lateral cephalogram and life size lateral profile photographs. The obtained result was subjected to descriptive analysis and unpaired ttest. Result and conclusion: The present study revealed that in dentulous and edentulous subjects, the line drawn from the ala of the nose to the inferior part of the tragus was relatively parallel to occlusal plane both in lateral cephalogram and lateral profile photograph. There is no significant difference found between angle measured on lateral cephalogram and profile photograph.
