Methods to determine the occlusal vertical dimension in totally edentulous people

Abstract

Introduction: the determination of the Occlusal Vertical Dimension is a critical stage in the success of the treatment of total and partial edentulousness without occlusive references. This influences the aesthetics, the harmonious functioning of the neuromusculature and particularly the stability and masticatory efficiency of rehabilitation with total maxillary-mandibular prostheses. Objective: describe the different methods used to obtain the occlusal vertical dimension in totally edentulous people. Development: there are various methods to obtain the Occlusal Vertical Dimension, one of the most used and total edentulous is the Knebelman craniometer, however, in clinical practice there are no relevant differences between the other methods, as long as they are well used. In patients with loss of vertical dimension due to edentulousness, the clinician can take the eye-ear distance as a reference and use it for future prediction of the occlusal vertical dimension since it is proportionally related to the distance between the chin. Conclusions: there is no method that significantly surpasses another, however, the correct use of one or more of them to obtain the OVD will favor the result of the total removable prosthesis, giving functionality and aesthetics to the completely edentulous patient.