Considerations in occlusal vertical dimension rehabilitation

Abstract

The vertical dimension is one of the important aspects that affect facial appearance, because it is related in facial height ratio. The vertical occlusal dimension is the height of the lower face measured from two points (infra-nasal and gnation points) when the maxillary and mandibular teeth were occlusion in the maximum intercuspal position. In complex cases, tooth wear can result in a decrease in facial height because the predominant wear on the anterior teeth encourages downward movement of the condyles when the intercuspal is maximum so that the vertical di-mension decreases. In addition, factors that cause a decrease in the vertical dimension are loss of posterior teeth accompanied by skeletal disharmony or accompanied by tooth abrasion and migration. The purpose of this paper is to explain how to restore the decreased occlusal vertical dimensions. Things that need to be considered are di-vided into two, extraorally and intraorally. Extraoral considerations are in the form of a large reduction in OVD, fa-cial esthetics and conditions of the temporomandibular joint. The parameters considered intraoral were the remain-ing tooth structure and occlusion. It was concluded that tooth wear due to functional and parafunctional activities can result in dimensional changes in facial morphology as well as a decrease in the occlusal vertical dimension. Correct OVD rehabilitation is an important factor in the success of rehabilitation treatment.