An Anthropometric Association of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion with that of Ear, Nose, Little Finger and Rima Oris in Dentate Individuals for Evaluation of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion in Edentulous Patients - An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Successful clinical performance of implant supported prosthesis and complete denture usually depends upon the correct establishment of occlusal vertical dimension during their fabrication. Aesthetic, functional efficiency and rigidity of masticatory muscles are the adverse effects of inaccurate vertical dimension. No reliable parameters are present for the determination of the same, thus posing a significant challenge to the clinicians. Numerous post-extraction methods like facial esthetic appearance, physiological rest position, cephalometric analysis, deglutition, measurement of former dentures, and various anthropometric analyses have been recommended. Aim: Thus, the main of the study was to evaluate the correlation of vertical dimension of occlusion with the length of nose, ear, little finger and the distance between rima-oris in dentate Kashmiri population, in order to use this correlation to determine vertical dimension of occlusion in edentulous patients. Material and methodology: 200 dentate volunteers of 25-45 years of age who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. The anthropometric measurements of vertical dimension at occlusion, length of ear, nose, little finger and the distance between rima-oris were measured using a vernier caliper. Unpaired t test was done to compare continuous variable, while Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to measure the correlation among the anthropometric measurements. Linear regression equation was used to derive vertical dimension at occlusion with the nearest parameter and a p-value of less than 0.05was significant. Results: On evaluation, the length of nose in females and length of ear in males had a strong correlation with that of vertical dimension at occlusion. Conclusion: within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that length of nose in females and length of ears in males can be used as an adjunct for the establishment of vertical dimension at occlusion in edentulous patients. Keywords: Ear, Edentulous Patients, Nose, Little Finger, Rima-Oris, Vernier Caliper.