What is Vertical Dimension of Occlusion?

Vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is how tall your face is when your teeth touch. When you bite down, there is a certain height between your upper jaw and lower jaw. This is your VDO.

Why VDO Matters

When your VDO is not right, you can have:

• Pain in your jaw
• Headaches
• Worn teeth
• Hard time closing your lips
• Loose dentures

A study found that 75% of people with incorrect VDO had jaw pain. When your bite is too low, your face looks older and sunken.

Signs Your VDO Needs Help

Your dentist will look for these signs:

• Flat or worn teeth
• Sunken face look
• Pain when you chew
• Dentures that don’t stay in place

How Dentists Check Your VDO:

Ways to Fix VDO Problems

1. Bite Splints

A bite splint is like a mouth guard that helps your jaw get used to a new height.

• 72% of patients feel better after wearing a splint for 3 months
• You wear it for a few months before making permanent fixes

2. Adding to Worn Teeth

Your dentist can build up your teeth with:

• Composite (tooth-colored filling)
• Ceramic materials like inlays or onlays

A case study showed 9 out of 10 patients had less pain after this treatment.

3. Full Mouth Fix

For big problems, you might need:

• Crowns on many teeth
• Bridges to replace missing teeth
• Braces to move teeth first

4. Denture Fixes

If you wear dentures, your dentist can make new ones with the right height. The American College of Prosthodontists says good VDO helps 93% of denture wearers chew better.

Risks of Changing VDO

Changing your VDO can cause:

• Tired jaw muscles
• Stress on jaw joints
• Trouble speaking

A study showed that 8% of patients had problems after big VDO changes.

How To Stay Safe:

• Make small changes over time
• Use temp teeth to test the new height
• See your dentist for check-ups

Long-Term Care

After fixing your VDO, you need to:

• Wear a custom hard night guard if you grind your teeth
• Get check-ups every year
• Avoid biting hard things like ice or pencils

Tools Dentists Use:

• T-Scan: Shows how hard you bite
• Articulators: Fake jaws that move like yours
• Digital photos: Track changes in your face

Common Questions

VDO Success Stories

Case 1: A 68-year-old woman had worn teeth and a sunken face. After getting ceramic inlays and onlays to raise her VDO, her face looked younger and her headaches stopped.

Case 2: A 52-year-old man had trouble eating with his dentures. New dentures with the right VDO let him eat normal foods again.

Types of VDO Problems and Fixes

When to See a VDO Expert

You should see a specialist like a prosthodontist if:

• You have many worn teeth
• You need a full mouth of new teeth
• You have TMJ problems (jaw joint pain)
• Your dentures don’t stay in place

Key Things to Remember

1. VDO is how tall your face is when your teeth touch
2. Wrong VDO causes pain, worn teeth, and face changes
3. Fixing VDO can make you look younger and feel better
4. Dentists use many tests to find your right VDO
5. Fixes range from simple bite splints to full mouth work

VDO and Different Age Groups

Kids and Teens

• Growing bodies need special care for VDO issues
• Orthodontics (braces) often helps
• Early help stops big problems later

Adults (30-60)

• Most common time for VDO problems
• Often from grinding teeth or missing teeth
• Fixes focus on saving natural teeth

Seniors (60+)

• May need complete dentures or implants
• Right VDO helps with speech and eating
• Proper VDO makes faces look younger

Latest VDO Research

New studies show:

• Digital scans help find the right VDO more exactly
• 3D printing makes temp teeth to test VDO changes
• Special materials last longer for people who grind

A 2021 study found that using soft night guards with the right VDO helped 85% of patients with night grinding.

Get Help With Your VDO

If you think you have VDO problems, ask your dentist for a check. The right VDO can help you:

• Feel less pain
• Have a better smile
• Look younger
• Chew better
• Speak clearer