The effect of increasing vertical dimension of occlusion on facial aesthetics.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of increasing the vertical dimension of occlusion on facial aesthetics.


METHODS
General practice.


METHODS
Questionnaires were sent to 96 patients who had been treated in the practice during the period of July 1998 to December 2000, resulting in an overall 72% response rate. All these patients had had their occlusal vertical dimension increased. Photographs of patients were taken before, during and after treatment. The questionnaire asked their opinion on the effects of the treatment on their facial features. To obtain an objective view to substantiate the opinions of the patients, a panel of five judges reviewed the before and after photographs and filled in their own questionnaires.


RESULTS
Of the patients who responded to the questionnaire, 79.7% said they looked younger after the treatment. The panel thought 81.2% of the patients treated whose photographs they reviewed looked younger.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing the vertical dimension of occlusion can have far reaching effects on facial aesthetics, not just on the peri-oral areas but on the whole face.
Mohindra
N K
NK
Eastman Dental Institute, University College London. info@dentalfacelift.com
Bulman
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000502:physiology; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012060:Rejuvenation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014716:Vertical Dimension