Natural head positioner (NHP) – A guiding device for diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics

The Natural head position in orthodontics is a highly precise, reliable, and reproducible external reference position that is used in clinical diagnosis and research. The physics concept that states that the fluid levels of a liquid's surface is horizontal in a non-accelerating fluid system (hydrostatic). The fluid surface has a tendency to align with gravity at an angle of 90 degrees. The two locations in a fluid level where the fluid, glass, and air converge will naturally aim for the same level similar to gravity. This device was designed to capture the head posture of the patient in its natural state before clinical extra-oral photography and head film exposure. A simplified fluid-level device in conjunction with a standardized procedure and cephalometric radiography yielded a consistently determined and recorded value. A simple technique for accurately recording NHP and recreating it.