Clinical Reliability of Different Facial Measurements in Determining Vertical Dimension of Occlusion in Dentulous and Edentulous Subjects

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the variations in average distances between various facial landmarks used to determine the vertical dimension of rest and occlusion among dentulous and edentulous subjects. Besides determining the reliability of these facial measurements against commonly used Chin-Nose distance, this study would also compare the difference between cephalometric landmarks (anterior nasal Spine-Menton) with the Chin-Nose distance (Niswonger's method). Materials and methods To standardize the measurement and minimize errors associated with observer and subject movement, a novel instrument was designed in the form of an apparatus and was named as subject and device stabilizing apparatus (SDSA). One hundred and twenty subjects, in the age group of 30 to 60 years, were selected and divided into two equal groups which were further subdivided into subgroups. Measurements were recorded with the help of a digital vernier that was attached to the apparatus. The various facial measure- ments studied were Pupil-Stomion, Glabella-Subnasion, Pupil-Pupil and Angle-Angle both at rest and in occlusion. These measurements were then compared with Chin-Nose and anterior nasal Spine-Menton distance. Differences between the dentulous and edentulous subjects at rest and at occlusion were noted and statistically analyzed using unpaired ‘t’ test and Karl Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Among the six measurements Chin-Nose, Glabella- Subnasion, Pupil-Stomion and anterior nasal Spine-Menton were closely associated between dentulous and edentulous subjects both at rest and at occlusion. Among all facial and cephalometric measurement the facial parameter of Pupil- Stomion illustrates the least deviation in edentulous (1.318) and dentulous (1.381) subjects at rest, whereas anterior nasal Spine-Menton displays least deviation in edentulous (2.751) and dentulous (1.224) subjects at occlusion. Conclusion The average facial measurements in dentulous subjects were more than measurements in edentulous subjects and among various facial measurements, Pupil-Stomion and anterior nasal Spine-Menton distance can be used clinically as a guide to verify vertical dimension of occlusion. How to cite this article Brar A, Mattoo KA, Singh Y, Singh M, Khurana PRS, Singh M. Clinical Reliability of Different Facial Measurements in Determining Vertical Dimension of Occlusion in Dentulous and Edentulous Subjects. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2014;4(3):68-77.