[Interocclusal clearance and changes in occlusal position in dentate and edentulous jaws. 1]

Six methods of assessing the resting position were evaluated in this study of 22 patients with teeth and 10 edentulous patients. None of these methods yielded reproducible results. The resting position is not a fixed, constant value, but depends on the method used. As could be shown by means of the standard deviation the method used to determine the resting position has a considerable influence on the distribution, and hence on the margin of error when the vertical relation is being determined. Small ranges of distribution were achieved: a) by means of the closest speaking distance when the patient spoke the numbers from 60 to 70 in a natural voice, b) after prompt relaxation of the lower jaw when the patients were asked to relax their jaws, c) when the interocclusal distance was measured after the mouth had been opened a little and the lips subsequently touched again lightly. Since there is little difference in the values with any one patient the three methods can be recommended for practical use.