REHABILITATION OF VERTICAL DIMENSION OF OCCLUSION : A CASE REPORT

Objectives: Bruxism caused from diet or stress leads to temporomandibular joint disorders and tooth wear. As a result of wear, weak masticatory function, dentin hypersensitivity, death of the teeth and at least aesthetic problems exist. Consequently it leads to lose of vertical dimension. By the way the restorative treatment of damaging tooth is necessary to prevent the destructive effects. It s needed to be adjustment vertical dimension of occlusion.
Methods: A 50 year old male patient presented at Erciyes University School of Dentistry. His complaint was pain at palatal mucosa while chewing and poor aesthetic appearance.
In clinical examination lower incisors was in contact with palatal mucosa and vertical dimension of occlusion decreased. There was progressive loss in tooth substance. Resting occlusal dimension was about 8 mm.

A removable occlusal splint was fabricated and adjusted as centric relation. the purpose of splint was to increase the Occlusal dimension for 6mm long safely.
It is recommended to use of the occlusal splint regularly for 8 weeks. Patient is called after 1 week and 4 weeks for control sessions.
After use of the splint patient had no pain of muscles or temporomandibular joint. He is adapted new occlusal relation and had no discomfort.
Results: Total of 27 teeth were prepared and 30 of metal-ceramic restorations were planned in acquired vertical dimension.
Restorations were fabricated and after occlusal adjustment cemented with polycarboxylate cement.
Conclusions: it is advantageous to consider increasing the VDO since it will provide space for restorative material, improve the esthetic tooth display, correct anterior teeth relationship, and minimize the invasive clinical procedure such as crown-lengthening surgery and elective endodontic treatment.