Correlation between Facial Measurements and Occlusal Vertical Dimension: An Anthropometric Study in Two Ethnic Groups of Nepal

Abstract

Establishment of proper occlusal vertical dimension is the important yet daunting task for successful prosthodontic therapy for function, esthetics and comfort to the edentulous patients. In the current study the relationship of various distances between facial landmarks to the OVD was tested in two ethnic groups of Nepal, viz. Aryans and Mongoloids. The result of this study can be useful in determining proper OVD in the patients who have lost the OVD. The aim of the study was to find the correlation between facial landmarks and OVD. Materials and methods: The OVD was measured using a Boley gauge from the prominent part of chin and nose. Other facial landmarks were also measured using the calipers in 200 adult volunteers. Results: The Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was determined. OVD was significantly (p≤0.05) correlated with rima oris to pupil distance (r = 0.557 in whole population, r = 0.577 in Aryans and 0.466 in Mongoloids). Conclusions: The distance between rima oris to pupil distance has higher correlation to OVD than other facial measurements.