Comparison of vertical morphologic measurements on dentulous and edentulous patients.

Through an analysis of cephalometric films, the vertical dimension of occlusion of a group of edentulous patients was compared with the vertical dimension of occlusion in a previously studied group of dentulous patients. In addition, the vertical dimension of occlusion in the edentulous group was measured after 20 years of denture wearing. The results indicated a remarkable correlation in the vertical dimension of occlusion established initially for the endentulous patients when compared with the measurements made for dentulous patients of a similar age range. The mean change in the vertical dimension of occlusion after 20 years of wearing complete dentures was 2.5 mm.