BACKGROUND: Various clinical parameters, as well aesthetics, must be taken into account in determining the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) when rehabilitating edentulous subjects. These include the freeway space (FS), the physiological rest position (PRP) and the minimum speaking space (MSS). METHODS: Eight edentulous patients were rehabilitated firstly with complete denture; FS and MSS were monitored using a non-invasive computerized system, and increasing the thickness of the denture palate vault. RESULTS: FS and MSS do not appear to be correlated; MSS appears to be more reliable parameter than FS, as it is not influenced by the patient's will. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the thickness of the palate vault causes a marked lowering of the mandible during speech, in agreement with Clemencon.
BACKGROUND: Various clinical parameters, as well aesthetics, must be taken into account in determining the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) when rehabilitating edentulous subjects. These include the freeway space (FS), the physiological rest position (PRP) and the minimum speaking space (MSS). METHODS: Eight edentulouspatients were rehabilitated firstly with complete denture; FS and MSS were monitored using a non-invasive computerized system, and increasing the thickness of the denture palate vault. RESULTS: FS and MSS do not appear to be correlated; MSS appears to be more reliable parameter than FS, as it is not influenced by the patient's will. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the thickness of the palate vault causes a marked lowering of the mandible during speech, in agreement with Clemencon.