Anthropometric Correlation Between Vertical Dimension of Occlusion and Length of Right Ear of Dentate Patients Visiting A Tertiary Care Hospital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwaha

Abstract

Background: Vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is defined as the distance between two selected anatomic or marked points (usually one on the tip of the nose and the other on the chin) when (teeth are) maximum intercuspation.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the reliability of the right ear length for determination of the VDO during the provision of complete denture using same dimensions recorded from dentulous subjects.

Materials and Methods: It was cross-sectional study conducted in the dental department of a tertiary care hospital of KPK. A total of 194 patients (both male and female ranging from 18-30 years of age were studied where after informed consent, they were instructed to seat on dental unit with their head in upright position. Using a precise vernier caliper, the VDO and right ear length were measured. Collected data was evaluated by using SPSS software. Correlation test was applied for analysis.

Result: Correlation of VDO and ear length in 18–25-year age group was r = 0.0745 and p value was 0.450063. In the age group 26-30 years r=0.0316 and p value 0.768779. In male group, the values were, r=0.0372 and p value = 0.69962. In the female group values were, r=0.0.0353 and p value 0.749892.

Conclusions: We concluded that the ear length is significantly correlated to VDO.

Keywords: Prosthodontics, Complete Denture, Vertical Dimension of Occlusion, Ear Length, Correlation.