RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERPUPILARY DISTANCE AND VERTICAL DIMENSIONS OF OCCLUSION

Background: The determination of the vertical occlusion dimensions is one of the most important aspects in the treatment of edentulous patients. A widely discussed biometric indicator that is suggested for determination of the vertical occlusion dimensions is the interpupillary distance.The aim of this research was to study the relationship between the interpupillary distance and the vertical dimension of occlusion among individuals with natural dentition.

Material and methods: Subjects of observation in the study were100 representatives of Bulgarian population, aged 20 to 25. Three reference points were marked: Pronasale, Subnasale and Gnathion. Every person was photographed enface with professional digital camera in strict standardized conditions. With help of the computer program were marked the pupil centres, connected the clinically marked points and then the distances between them were measured. Data were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results:Stronger correlation was established between interpupillary distance and the distance Subnasale - Gnathion (for men: r = 0.6858 for women: r = 0.6584), compared to the correlation with distance Pronasale - Gnathion (for men: r = 0.5714 for women: r = 0.5805).

Conclusions: Clearly expressed correlation was established between the interpupillary distance and the vertical dimensions of occlusion. The interpupillary distance could be applied as an additional landmark during determination of the vertical dimensions of occlusion. For achievement of optimal results, this method could be used along with other clinical methods.