Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Author Spotlight: Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: September 8, 2023
Determination of vertical dimension of occlusion using lateral profile photographs: A pilot study
Dileep Nag Vinnakota1, Krishna Chaitanya Kanneganti1, Mahesh Pulagam1
1Department of Prosthodontic Dentistry, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Purpose:
To hypothesize a new theory based on soft tissue reference points on lateral profile photographs (LPPs) for determining the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), as there is need to explore for simple strategies.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty-three participants in the age range of 20-27 years who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. LPPs were taken for all participants using standard protocol and duplicate copies obtained, on which five soft tissue reference points, nasion (Stn), subnasale (Stsn), porion (Stp), gnathion (Stgn), and gonion (Stg) (Stg prenoted on the face) were marked and joined to form angles; distance between Stsn and Stgn was considered as VDO in LPP (VDO-LP). The angle formed between Stn-Stsn-Stgn and Stn-Stsn-Stg; Stp-Stg-Stgn and Stp-Stg-Stsn was correlated; two simple linear regression models were developed to predict Stn-Stsn-Stgn and Stp-Stg-Stgn using Stn-Stsn-Stg and Stp-Stg-Stsn as independent variables. Using the formulae, VDO-LP predicted was constructed and correlated with the actual values.
Results:
The angle Stn-Stsn-Stgn had a statistically significant moderate positive correlation with Stn-Stsn-Stg (r = 0.57, P < 0.001) and angle Stp-Stg-Stgn, a significant strong positive correlation with Stp-Stg-Stsn (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Using simple linear regression analysis, the following formulae were obtained: Stn-Stsn-Stgn (in degrees) = 0.776 Stn-Stsn-Stg (in degrees) +79.01 and Stp-Stg-Stgn (in degrees) =1.331 Stp-Stg-Stsn (in degrees) +10.2. The predicted and actual VDO-LP values were in strong positive correlation with a coefficient of 0.8.
Conclusion:
With the use of simple landmarks on LPP, it is possible to reconstruct the lost facial dimensions during prosthetic replacement of lost teeth.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...

