Evaluation of Various Facial Measurements as an Adjunct in Determining Vertical Dimension at Occlusion in Dentate Individuals—A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: For optimal clinical outcomes in full mouth rehabilitations, it is vital to determine the optimal jaw relations and confirm the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO). The current study aims to evaluate various facial measurements as an adjunct in determining VDO in dentate individuals. Methods: A total of one hundred and twenty subjects, sixty males and sixty females, of the age group 19-30 were selected for the study. VDO (chin–nose distance) and other facial measurements like the glabella to subnasion (G-S) distance, both right and left pupil to rima oris (P-R) distance, both right and left corner of mouth to outer canthus of eye (M-E) distance, and both right and left ear to eye (E-e) distance were measured using a Vernier caliper. Results: The mean ± standard deviation of the C-N distance, G-S distance, right P-R distance, right M-E distance, left M-E distance, right E-e distance, and left E-e distance were 67.70 mm ± 3.22 mm, 60.29 mm ± 3.67 mm, 65.99 mm ± 3.72 mm, 66.00 mm ± 3.91 mm, 69.51 mm ± 3.71 mm, 69.48 mm ± 3.68 mm, 69.59 mm ± 3.98 mm, and 69.51 mm ± 3.95 mm, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the C-N distance and M-E distance was found to be 0.739 (right), 0.730 (left); that between the C-N distance and E-e distance was found to be 0.738 (right), 0.732 (left); that between the C-N distance and P-R distance was found to be 0.660(right), 0.670(left); and that between the C-N distance and G-s distance was found to be 0.417. Conclusions: The present study reported a high positive correlation between the chin to nose distance and the distance between both the right and left lateral corner of the mouth to the outer canthus of the eye, and the distance between both the right and left ear to the eye. Hence, these measurements can be used as an adjunct for establishing VDO in the edentulous patient.

Keywords

• vertical dimension of occlusion
• facial measurements
• jaw relations
• corner of mouth
• outer canthus of eye