Evaluation of the relation between occlusal vertical dimension with lingual frenum and depth of muco lingual reflection in Iraqi adult sample

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Back ground: The exact measurement of the natural vertical dimension is most essential in the successful practice of
many phases in dentistry, this study was performed to evaluate the use of anterior attachment of lingual frenum and
the depth of mucolingual reflection when recorded during function as a pre- extraction record to determine the
occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) in edentulous patients.
Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 30 dentate subjects, the age was ranged from (23-33) years old,
irreversible impressions of lower arches, stock trays, dental stone, surveyor and vernia gauge for measurements, the
vertical distance between the incisal edge of mandibular central incisor and the anterior attachment of lingual
frenum as well as the depth of mucolingual reflection was measured on the stone casts, t-test and one way analysis
of variance were used for statistical analysis of the data.
Results: The difference between males and females regarding the distance from the incisal edge of mandibular
central incisor and the anterior attachment of lingual frenum was statistically not significant (p>0.05) , also gender
had no effect on the measurements of the distance from the incisal incisal edge of mandibular central incisor and
muco lingual reflection depth.
Conclusion: The distance between the incisal edge of mandibular central incisor and the anterior attachment of
lingual frenum with the depth of muco lingual reflection may be used as a reliable land marks to determine occlusal
vertical dimension.
Key words: Occlusal vertical dimension, anterior teeth measurements, lingual frenum. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2009;
21(2):44-47)