The vertical dimension It is one of the most complex points in current dentistry. It is necessary to take into account the vertical dimension when performing a treatment of rehabilitation oral, and thus be able to restore the ideal space between the dental arches (upper jaw and mandible) to achieve excellent functionality and facial aesthetics.
What is the vertical dimension?
In dental terms, the vertical dimension It is the distance that separates two cutaneous points, that is, from the skin, one located under the base of the nose and the other on the chin. It is a measurement focused on the lower third of the face.
The vertical dimension can be divided into two types, in occlusion and in repose.
First, the vertical dimension of occlusion It corresponds to the lower height of the face when the upper and lower teeth are in contact of maximum intercuspation, in other words, when there are the maximum possible dental contacts of the denture.
On the other hand, the vertical dimension of rest characterized by the absence of dental contact, that is, it refers to the position of the jaw when the patient’s head is erect and in a resting position, without compressing the joints of the mandibular system.
Between the two there is the one known as free functional space, which is the distance that separates the position of maximum intercuspation from the position of rest, that is, the difference between the vertical dimension of rest and that of occlusion.
In any rehabilitative treatment that is carried out, it is very important to respect and preserve, the free functional space. This element is a physiological need of the human body, it has a standard measurement of 2 to 3 millimeters, although depending on the patient’s conditions it can vary between values of 1 and 7mm. Likewise, the factors that condition this space are such as sleep, stress, discomfort, head position or speech, among others. This is why the management of dental treatments that involve the vertical dimension it is certainly complex.
Therefore, it is essential for any professional at our Smile Care Plymouth Dental Plymouth clinic to take all these factors into account when restoring the patient’s lost occlusion or when performing an oral rehabilitative treatment.
