• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2003

The patient had bruxism and epilepsy tendency. Inadequate or unstable posterior support was identified due to severe anterior attrition and decreased occlusal vertical dimension. Prematurities of posterior occlusal and wear facets increased the function of anterior teeth, resulting in severe wear. Wear facets displayed sharply defined peripheries, which are matched on articulated diagnostic casts. Also the patient showed C III malocclusion tendency, and lost some facial contour with drooping corners on the mouth. In this case, the alteration of OVD (Occlusal Vertical Dimention) may provide a biologically compatible adjunct to the treatment such as dentofacial esthetics, improved visual proportion in facial heightand mechanical solutions to the force-management of the masticatory system. The patient requires extensive restorative treatment to regain appropriate function, esthetics and comfort. According to the report by Farhad Fays, the average vertical distance from the maxillary to the mandibular mucolabial reflection in the region of the central incisors is approximately 34mm. However, the vertical distance of this patient was found to be 32mm, which was necessary to add gauge 20-sheets to apply vertical dimension. A removable occlusal overlay splint, which restores OVD to the estimated optimalposition, is the general first trial. The patient was observed periodically for 6 weeks, while appropriate adjustments were made vertical dimension to function. When patient felt comfortable with the splint, the teeth were prepared, and provisional restorations are placed for 3 months. The provisional restoration was fabricated by a diagnostic wax-up. When the patient felt comfortable with the provisional restoration, the final restoration mimics OVD, function, and esthetics that have been developed in the treatment restorations. Restoration of the extremely worn dentition presents a substantial challenge to thedentists. Therefore, careful evaluation of the etiology, history, and factors associated with occlusal vertical dimension should be preceded prior to the appropriate treatment planning.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2018

Excessive tooth wear can lead to decrease in occlusal vertical dimension and can cause pathological changes in the oral environment and masticatory system. When recovering occlusal vertical dimension and occlusion, accurate diagnosis and analysis are essential. This clinical case describes a 75-year-old woman with severely worn dentition due to loss of the posterior support. Full mouth rehabilitation with occlusal vertical dimension increment was planned. Clinical and radiographic examinations, occlusal vertical dimension evaluation, and diagnostic wax-up were performed and patient adaptability was evaluated using provisional restorations. As for definitive restoration, considering economic condition of the patient, removable partial denture was fabricated and solitary implants were placed in the mandibular left and right posterior region to increase support and retention of the removable partial denture. During one year of follow-up, functional and esthetic outcomes were observed satisfactory.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2020

From the point of view of oral rehabilitation, the treatment of extensive tooth wear requires a prosthetic approach. Physiological tooth wear is considered as a normal process and generally does not require treatment, but excessive tooth wear causes problems like inadequate occlusion and esthetics. Changes of occlusal vertical dimension should be made through accurate diagnosis and analysis. Also, the patient's adaptation to the changed occlusal vertical dimension should be assessed over time. This case was a 60-year-old male patient who complained of a decrease in chewing function and esthetics due to severe tooth wear. Full-mouth rehabilitation was performed with a tooth supported fixed prosthesis. An occlusal stabilization splint and provisional restoration were used to evaluate the adaptation to increased occlusal vertical dimension and induce a stable centric relation position. After that, monolithic zirconia prosthesis was delivered. We report this as a satisfactory functional recovery and esthetics.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2010

Objective. This study was conducted to observe the effect on appendage muscle strength according to increase in occlusal vertical dimension. Materials and methods. Ten males with a mean age of 21 were selected. The tested occlusal splints were made at the position of increased occlusal vertical dimension of 2mm,3.5mm and 5mm from the intercuspal position. Before and after wearing occlusal splints, the appendage muscle strength were tested by Cybex II dynamometer (Lumex Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY, USA). Results. Statistical analysis using the paired t-test revealed significant differences for flexion and extension of the hip, pronation of the forearm, internal rotation of the shoulder, external and internal rotation of the knee, and dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle (p<0.05). Conclusions. As the result of this study, we conclude that when occlusal vertical dimension was increased, most of mean muscular strength values were increased. Especially at the position of 3.5mm increased vertical dimension displayed the highest mean muscular strength value than other positions.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2024

The most critical aspect of full-arch prosthodontic treatment is evaluating whether the patient's vertical occlusal dimension is appropriate, and if necessary, restoring it through increasing vertical dimension. If the vertical occlusal dimension is too low, it can lead to reduced chewing efficiency, as well as not only aesthetic concerns but also potential issues like hyperactivity of muscles and posterior displacement of the mandible. This report is about the patient dissatisfied with pronunciation and aesthetics due to an inappropriate vertical occlusal dimension resulting from prior prosthetic interventions, underwent full-arch prosthodontic restoration treatment. Through the utilization of digital diagnostic apparatus, a comprehensive evaluation was undertaken for patient's vertical occlusal dimension, occlusal plane orientation, and the condition of prosthetic restorations. Through 3D facial scanning, the facial landmarks were discerned, and subsequently, the new occlusal plane was established. This provided the foundation for a digitally guided diagnostic wax-up. An elevation of 5 mm from the incisor was determined. Comprehensive dental rehabilitation was then executed for all remaining teeth, excluding the maxillary four incisors. The treatment protocol followed a systematic approach by initially creating implant-supported restorations on both sides of the dental arch to establish a stable occlusal contact. Subsequently, prosthetic restorations for the natural dentition were generated. Diagnostic and treatment planning were established through the utilization of facial scanning. This subsequently led to a reduction in treatment complexity and an expedited treatment timeline.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2018

Severe dental attrition causes pathological changes of the tooth, collapsed occlusion, and functional and aesthetic complications and can also result in a decrease in occlusal vertical dimension. Before increasing the vertical dimension with full-mouth rehabilitation, it is important to determine the amount of vertical dimension through accurate diagnosis. In this case, a 77 year old elderly male patient on anticoagulant medication with generalized attrition and fracture of teeth was treated with full-mouth rehabilitation in order to recover vertical dimension and aesthetics. Accurate clinical and radiographic examination, diagnostic, wax-up, and occlusal vertical dimension evaluation were step by step performed considering pre-medical history and old age. Patient adaptability was evaluated using an occlusal splint and interim restoration. After 3 months of stabilization with interim restoration, definitive prostheses were fabricated. Satisfactory functional and esthetic outcomes are observed after 6 months of follow up.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.263-275
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• 2022

The loss of posterior occlusal support leads to further complications such as collapsed occlusal plane and reduced vertical dimension, and it may cause problems such as facial appearance change, reduced chewing efficiency, and temporomandibular joint disorders. In such case, it is necessary to re-establish occlusal plane and vertical dimension properly through accurate diagnosis and predictable treatment plan. This case report presents a 71-year-old female, whose occlusal plane was collapsed and posterior restorative space was insufficient. To perform a patient-friendly full mouth rehabilitation, proper vertical dimension and occlusal plane were decided by evaluation of interocclusal space at her physiologic mandibular rest position, swallowing, pronunciation, facial appearance, and the average length of anterior teeth. And then, the fixed provisional restorations were fabricated with the new occlusal position, and evaluated for 5 months with checking adaptation of masticatory muscles and any kind of clinical symptoms occurs or not. After confirmation of functional stability and esthetic satisfaction with the newly established occlusion, final definitive restorations were fabricated and inserted in the mouth. Through the above process, the treatment result was functionally and aesthetically satisfactory.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2023

A patient with para-functional habits can cause widespread teeth wear, along with temporomandibular joint disorders and myofascial pain syndrome in the masticatory muscles. Prolonged teeth wear is associated with a decrease in vertical occlusal dimension, leading to issues such as changes in facial morphology, decreased masticatory efficiency, and temporomandibular joint disorders. To achieve a three-dimensional full-mouth rehabilitation in patients with decreased vertical occlusal dimension, accurate diagnosis, analysis, and proactive treatment planning are essential. Prosthetic treatment accompanied by the restoration of physiological vertical occlusal dimension and the re-establishment of a normal occlusal plane is necessary. This case report presents a full-mouth rehabilitation case involving a patient with overall teeth wear, showing decreased vertical occlusal dimension which results in discomfort in the temporomandibular joint and aesthetic dissatisfaction. The report highlights the successful outcome achieved through the use of occlusal stabilization splint for temporomandibular joint stability and Gothic arch tracing devices for the re-establishment of intermaxillary relationships. Also, through adjustments and adaptation assessment using provisional prostheses, favorable outcomes were achieved both functionally and aesthetically.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2005

Statement of problem. Anatomic landmarks have been used in the orientation of occlusal plane and the determination of vertical dimension for edentulous patients. Such as labial vestibules of anterior region and hamular notches, retromolar pads of posterior region are very useful anatomic landmarks for fabrication of occlusion rim because they are to be identified on master casts. Therefore, if average distances between landmarks of maxillae and mandible in dentate subjects are measured and applied, not only occlusal plane but also vertical dimension can be established initially. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to measure vertical distances between anatomic landmarks and to present a guide to the orientation of occlusal plane and the determination of vertical dimension of edentulous patients. Material and method. Upper and lower border-molded casts were made in 93 Korean dentulous subjects, mean age 25 years. Incisal edges of central incisors, bottoms of labial vestibules, hamular notches and the half level of retromolar pads were marked on casts. Measurements of vertical distances from incisal edge of central incisor to the bottom of labial vestibule, between upper and lower bottoms of labial vestibules, from hamular notch to retromolar pad and from hamular notch to the occlusal plane established by the incisal edge of maxillary central incisor and mesiopalatal cusps of both maxillary first molars were made on each cast. Results and conclusion. 1. The mean distance from the incisal edge of central incisor to the bottom of labial vestibule was 20.8mm(SD 1.7) on upper casts and 17.3mm(SD 1.4) on lower casts. 2. The mean distance between both bottoms of labial vestibules of upper and lower casts was 35.0mm(SD 2.7). 3 The mean distance from hamular notch to the half level of retromolar pad was 5.0mm(SD 1.3). 4. The mean distance from hamular notch to occlusal plane was 7.9mm(SD 1.5). 5. Distances from incisal edge of central incisor to labial vestibule on lower casts(P<0.01) and from hamular notch to retromolar pad(P<0.0001) were greater in male than in female.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.602-609
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• 2015

The aim of this document is to evaluate the effect of bite balance on physical fitness and motor capacity to determine the importance of the occlusal stability as a possible action mechanism of occlusal appliance including mouthguards on physical performances. We all remember that day when the prominent athlete was in the news wearing a mouthguard to improve human athletic performance. I once had investigated the determinants of athletic performance in all sorts of sports. Most of the studies had overinterpretation of results and lack of evidence to support the information. However, I discovered great expectations for new possibility in this field and settled for a more academic approach to this intriguing subject. The followings are some examples of the subject 1. Archers who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 2~3mm increased their ability to focus and to maintain good sense of balance. Their accuracy rate has been improved. The appliance was made of acrylic resin (a type of plastic). 2. Canoe players who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 5mm surpassed longtime competitor and won the race with 10 seconds gap. 3. A cycle rider who wore an occlusal appliance to treat his malocclusion surpassed his old record from 10.8 seconds to 10.3 seconds. His muscle reflexes (anaerobic exercise) and endurance (aerobic exercise) has been enhanced. 4. Occlusal appliances had a good effect on athletic performance in most sports such as swimming, diving, and weightlifting. As for the clenching on dentition, people clench their teeth when they push their physical and mental limits during sports activities. Clenching can be induced by physical exertion when maximum muscle strength is retained and this is similarly found in different types of exercises. In addition, restraint of respiratory function is observed. Therefore, creating a occlusal balance with occlusal appliance or mouthguard promoted a favorable influence when an athlete clenches.