Key Factors to Consider when Correcting the Vertical Dimension

When evaluating a patient we tend to classify occlusal problems in the transverse, sagittal and vertical dimensions, which aids us in establishing adequate treatment approaches. The occlusal vertical dimension is associated to the amount of anterior overbite, which includes the correction of open bites and deep bites. Basically treatment approaches will include extrusion or intrusion of incisors and/or of posterior teeth. Despite speech (function) being more frequent than smiling, clinical approaches may disregard this factor and final incisor vertical position can severely age the patient. Adequate upper incisor display at rest plays a fundamental role in orthodontic and surgical diagnostics and defining the final vertical position of upper and lower incisors and, therefore, how deep bites and anterior open bites will be corrected.

Learning Objectives:

• Clinically record upper incisor display at rest.
• Consider the importance of upper display at rest in the correction of vertical problems.
• Define where to approach the correction of deep bites and open bites according to function.