Alteration Of Vertical Dimension Research Articles

The Effect of Alteration of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion on Brain Activity in Complete Denture Wearers

BACKGROUND: The establishment of appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is paramount for successful and functioning complete dentures (CDs). AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alteration of VDO on the brain activity in CD wearers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten completely edentulous patients participated in this study. Each patient received three sets of CDs: one control set and two duplicates’ CDs. The control CDs was designed with appropriate VDO (control - VDO), while the duplicate CDs were designated as followed: one with VDO lowered by –3 mm (low - VDO) the other one VDO was increased by +5 mm (high - VDO). The effect of alteration of VDO on brain activity was assessed by measuring alpha waves changes using electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after chewing gum. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA and dependent t-test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the alpha waves mean values after chewing (p < 0.05) gum compared to before except for low - VDO CDs (p > 0.05). The control-VDO revealed a statistically significant higher mean values compared to the duplicate dentures. CDs with high - VDO showed higher mean value than low - VDO dentures, however, it was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Appropriate determination of VDO is not only important for the success of CDs but also for the functional augmentation of brain activity.

Treatment of Serious Occlusal Instability Associated with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) Through Implant and Dynamic Occlusal Schemes Rehabilitation. A Case Report

A case report of 35 years old male patient, partially edentulous with occlusal instability, Disc Displacement with Reduction (DDWR), Local Muscle Soreness (LMS) and Alteration of vertical dimension is presented. Rehabilitation was planned to achieve predictability of long-term treatment, providing static and dynamic occlusal stability. A therapeutic occlus ion with premature contact in the right premolar sector was planned. Implants and cemented/screwed crowns were used to obtain contacts in the molar area. The restoration of dynamic occlusal schemes was made by direct adhesive technique in the anterior sector and Curve of Spee (COS) compensation with temporary anchoring for molar inclusion was used. Patient presents objective and subjective improvements associated with the treatment performed. Temporomandibular disorder is stabilized and controlled by a specialist.

Full mouth rehabilitation in patient with loss of vertical dimension and deep bite due to worn dentition

Gradual occlusal attrition is a normal process of aging. However, severe attrition causes pathogenic pulp, occlusal disharmony, functional disorder and esthetic problems. Alteration of vertical dimension should be considered for space regaining for tooth restoration, esthetic improvement or correction of occlusal relationship. Vertical dimension should be determined within the range of minimal invasive process satisfying patient's esthetic requirements and operator's functional goal. And patient's adaptation to newly determined vertical dimension should be assessed simultaneously. Deep overbite is not a simple problem of overbite, instead it is an usually complicated problem with anterior-posterior occlusal relationship. Considering these facts, appropriate restoration of edentulous part as well as improvement of anterior-posterior relationship should be performed to solve this fundamental problems. In this study, a 67 year-old male patient with many worn teeth and loss of posterior teeth was treated with removable partial denture at edentulous mandibular area to increase vertical dimension and fixed prostheses at dentulous maxillary and mandibular area. With these treatments, we attained a satisfactory result in functional and esthetic aspects as a report case. (J Korean Acad Prosthodont 2016;54:65-71)

Condylar adaptation after alteration of vertical dimension in adult rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta.

Remodeling in the cartilage of the mandibular condyle was investigated in young adult monkeys after an increase in vertical dimension of the midface through the use of a tooth-borne intraoral appliance. Six young adult male rhesus monkeys had bite-splints of 5 mm, 10 mm or 15 mm cemented to their maxillary dentition for 48 weeks. Five age- and sex-matched monkeys were used as controls. The thickness of the articular tissue and of the prechondroblastic and chondroblastic layers of the condylar cartilage in the superior, posterosuperior and posterior regions was measured from parasagittal sections of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It was found that articular tissue thickness was reduced in the superior region; the prechondroblastic layer, absent in control animals, was very distinctive (30-75 microns) in experimental animals; and there was a 62% increase in the thickness of the chondroblastic layer in the experimental animals. These findings indicate that chronic alteration of mandibular posture via increase in vertical dimension stimulates progressive remodeling of the mandibular condyle in young adult monkeys.

Alteration of Vertical Dimension and Its Effect on Head and Neck Posture

Previous research has shown a relationship between head posture and rest position of the mandible. Should this relationship really be an interrelationship? Does a change in mandibular posture alone also alter head and neck posture? The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how a change in mandibular posture, specifically an increase in vertical dimension, contributes to craniovertical extension leading to suboccipital compression and upsetting the postural balance between the head and neck. A model of physiologic equilibrium is presented for the craniomandibular articulation.