Determination of the vertical dimension by cranio-facial measurement using clinical and cephalometric analysis (comparative study)

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Evaluating the maxillo-mandibular vertical dimension is of great importance in constructing successful
denture prosthesis, whoever it is a tedious process which may be misinterpreted leading to false readings. Hence with
the aid of cephalometric analysis a cephalogram may present a graphic representation of a problem to be met. This
study aimed to introduce a new mathematical method for determination the occlusal vertical dimension (O.V.D.).
Materials and methods: The first part was conducted to derive a clinical ratio between the O.V.D. and the ear-eye
distance, as well as to derive a radiographical ratio between the same distances using a computerized calibration
system on a lateral cephalometric view. The sample of this part consists of 34 dentate subjects (17 male and 17
female) of age range between 21-23 years old. The second part of this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of
clinical and radiographical application of the ratios that were derived from the first part in estimating the O.V.D. from
the ear-eye distance measured in dentate subjects. The sample used in this part was 14 subjects (7 male and 7
female) of the same age range for the clinical and radiographical ratio.
Results: The clinical ratio of O.V.D./ear-eye distance is of significance in determination of O.V.D. for both dentulous
and edentulous subjects, while the radiographical ratio of O.V.D./ear-eye distance is of significance in determination
of O.V.D. in dentulous subjects only. There is a highly significant difference between the male and female ear-eye
distance (clinically) and significant difference between male and female ear-eye distance radiographically. As well
as, there is a non significant correlation between the clinical O.V.D. with ear-eye distance in male but significant in
female and total groups, and there is a significant correlation between them radiographically in female but of non
significant correlation in male and total groups.
Conclusion: the ratio of O.V.D./ear-eye distance could play a helpful role in the determination of O.V.D.
Keywords: Vertical dimension, cephalometric analysis. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2009; 21(4): 44-47).