Extending the Use of a Diagnostic Occlusal Splint to overcome Existing Lacunae of Vertical Dimension Transfer in Full Mouth Rehabilitation Cases

Abstract

Full mouth rehabilitation involving an increase in vertical dimension of occlusion presents lacunae in accurate and definite transfer of diagnosed and verified vertical dimension of occlusion, biologically compatible with the stomatognathic system. Currently, vertical dimension to be incorporated within the restorations is done arbitrarily by adjustment of vertical pin of articulators in the laboratory, which is graduated in difference of a minimum of 1 mm. This article describes an innovative and extended use of a diagnostic occlusal splint to overcome the lacunae. The technique utilizes the diagnostic occlusal splint to transfer vertical dimensions at various stages of mounting of working casts thereby incorporating the clinically verified vertical dimensions in the final prosthesis. The technique involves splitting the diagnostic occlusal splint into anterior and posterior half. On the posterior half further centric relation records are then made. At the same time the technique described eliminates errors incorporated as a result of frequent use of face bow index record and/or arbitrary adjustment of the articulator as well as the difference between clinical determination of vertical dimension and the arbitrary laboratory adjustment on the articulator.