title: Increased vertical dimension of occlusion: signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and options.
abstract: During the planning of oral rehabilitation, the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is one of the first parameters to be measured since its improper restoration can lead to the failure of any prosthetic rehabilitation. A decreased VDO can lead to the appearance of lesions, such as angular cheilitis, facial disharmony, and temporomandibular disorders; meanwhile, an increased VDO may lead to the onset of joint and muscle pain, tension in functional speech, difficulty in swallowing, impaired chewing, tooth sensitivity due to traumatogenic forces, pathologic bone resorption, abnormal wearing of teeth, the appearance of an elongated face, and a facial expression of fatigue. Most scientific articles deal with methods and techniques for re-establishing VDO in edentulous patients or those who have lost their tooth reference due to prosthetic preparations. However, patients with increased VDO are also found in everyday practice. One treatment option for these patients is occlusal adjustment by selective tooth wear; it is still possible to perform orthodontic intrusion and/or orthognathic surgery in severe cases. The aim of this study was to discuss signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and to report a clinical case of a patient with increased VDO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil. jacdiscacciati@uol.com.br
authors.forename: José Augusto César
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Discacciati
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lemos de Souza
authors.forename: Walison Arthuso
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: Sérgio Carvalho
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Vinícius de Magalhães
authors.initials: Vde M
authors.lastname: Barros
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D016302:Centric Relation; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D003769:Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D003779:Denture Design; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000009:adverse effects; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology; D014716:Vertical Dimension