[Comparison of physiologic methods of determination of occlusal vertical dimension in edentulous persons]

Occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is the distance of the mandible from the maxilla determined by the length and position of teeth in central occlusion. In edentulous mouth OVD is not preserved. Tooth loss causes the loss of OVD, so that it must be determined in the appropriate way. In clinical practice, several methods and indicators are used, in making of full dentures that represents a dilemma for dentist practitian which methods to use for the establishment of appropriate OVD. The aim of this investigation was to compare the obtained results in application of physiological methods of phonation, deglutition and electromyography that were used for the determination of OVD. Investigation comprised 18 edentulous patients, of skeletal class I by Angle with healthy stomatognathic system. Estimation of results value of the applied methods was done electromyographically. Upon the obtained results of the investigation, it was concluded that the optimal accuracy was obtained by the method of electromyography, which was also confirmed by the measured OVD that was in average higher for 1.50-2.00 mm compared to OVD determined by the methods of phonation and deglutition. In the clinical practice, where possible, we recommend the method of electromyography in determination of OVD in edentulous patients, and subsequently the method of phonation and method of deglutition, respectively.