Use of anterior teeth measurements in determining occlusal vertical dimension

Impressions were made from the anterior segment of the mouth in 25 subjects with their teeth in centric occlusion. Measurements were made on each impression to determine the relation of the maxillary and mandibular vestibular folds and of the anterior teeth to the maxillary and mandibular mucolabial reflections. The mean distance between the depth of the mucolabial reflections in the canine region was 36.70 mm for the right side and 36.94 mm for the left side. The mean distances for the right and left central incisor regions were 34.20 mm and 34.06 mm. The variations in the measurements of different teeth confirmed the anatomic individuality of each patient. Nevertheless, the findings of this study will be helpful as guides in the initial placement of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and in the initial determination of the vertical dimension of occlusion.