Eye Width as a Tool to Determine the Vertical Dimension

To determine vertical dimension (VD) is considered as an important step to conclude a successful prosthodontic treatment, and is a difficult task due to the lack of accurate methods and evidences. Tjan found that the distance between the base of the nose and the lower border of the lower lip is equal to eye width (EW). Based on this findings, could the EW be used to determine the VD? To anticipate the facial variances, analysis of the morphological facial index (MFI) for short (Hypereuryprosop=extra short, Euryprosop=short), average, and long faces ( Leptoprosop= extra long, Hyperleprosop =long ) was performed. Objectives: To confirm that the EW could be utilized as a guideline to determine the VD. Methods: This was an observational cross sectional study. Subjects were 97 dental students (with complete dentition) of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Indonesia. They were divided into short, average, and long face based on MFI. EW and VD were measured for each subject, and the values were compared. These datas were calculated using Pearson & Spearman coefficient correlation test. Results: Based on MFI, it was found that for extra short faces the EW > VD , but on the other hand for extra long faces, the EW < VD. However, for short, average and long faces, the EW = VD. The correlation between EW and VD was found positive (Pearson R= 0,518). It was found also that the MFI correlated with the measurement disparity between EW and VD (Spearman R=0,536). Conclusion: Eye width could be utilized as a method to determine Vertical Dimension. However it could only be adopted to categories of short (euryprosop), average face and long (leptoprosop). The addition of other methods is needed to get a more accurate VD.