An Alternative Technique to Determine Vertical Dimension of Occlusion From Anthropometric Study Done in Gujarati Population

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find the correlation between vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) with length of fingers and distance from hair line to nasion. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 dentate subjects comprising of 200 males and 200 females. Anthropometric measurements of VDO, length of index finger, length of little finger and distance from hair line to nasion were recorded clinically using digital vernier caliper. Correlation between VDO and length of fingers and distance from hair line to nasion was studied using Pearson"s correlation method. Results: VDO was significantly and positively correlated with all the parameters studied in females but not in males. In females, VDO had strongest correlation for length of little finger (r-0.550, p value<0.001) followed by length of index finger(r-0.413, p value<0.001), measured distance from hairline to nasion (r-0.294, p value<0.001) in the Gujarati populations. In males VDO was correlated with length of little finger(r-0.375, p value<0.001) but not with other 2 parameters studied. Conclusion: In females, pearson"s correlation for little finger is 0.550 and p value is less than 0.001, so length of liitle finger is the best parameter to predict VDO in females. Prediction of VDO through this method is reliable, and reproducible, this method is also simple, economic, and non-invasive; hence, it could be recommended for everyday practice. Abbreviations VDO= vertical dimension at occlusion.