Cephalometric indicators of the vertical dimension of occlusion.

The aim of this investigation was to establish precise indicators of the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) which could be used as objective parameters in prosthodontic treatment providing exact control of the reconstructed vertical dimension of occlusion, early detection of errors and correction of the vertical dimension of occlusion during complete denture manufacturing. A total of 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs of subjects with natural dentition and class I skeletal jaw relationship, of Serbian nationality from the region of Vojvodina, were included in the investigation. Thirty subjects were males, and thirty females, their age range was 20 to 29 years. Cephalometric analysis was performed by using »Dr. Ceph« computer software (FYI Technologies, GA, USA). By evaluation of the craniofacial complex in subjects with natural dentition, horizontal dentofacial developmental growth was established in the examined sample and it was based on the relationship between the posterior and anterior total facial height (S–Go:N–Me, b X=68.96%, aX=72.8%) and statistically significant differences were found between the sexes in almost all linear dimensions and in the relation between the posterior and the anterior total facial height. Highly significant differences (p<0.001) between the sexes were found in regard to anterior total facial height (N–Me, aX=120.75mm, b X=112.72mm) and the anterior lower facial height (ANS–Me, aX=67.87mm, b X=61.50mm) (p<0.05). The proportions of the upper and lower anterior facial heights (N–ANS:ANS–Me, aX=79.36%, b X=80.63%) were within normal values in both sexes. Facial harmony existed both in men and women. Cephalometric study of the subjects with complete natural dentition included in this study provided important and specific parameters for optimal reconstruction of vertical dimension of occlusion in the treatment of edentulous patients.