Vertical Dimension

Vertical dimension describes the vertical height between the upper and lower jaws and is commonly considered as the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) when the teeth are in contact and the vertical dimension at rest (VDR) when the jaw is relaxed. It is an important reference for facial proportions, chewing efficiency and speech, and is routinely evaluated when teeth are worn, missing or being replaced so that restorations and prostheses restore comfortable function and appearance.

Clinicians assess vertical dimension using clinical measurements, bite records, phonetic tests and evaluation of facial relationships; changes are made cautiously because significant alteration can affect jaw muscle comfort, temporomandibular joint function and facial aesthetics. Restorative treatments that address vertical dimension include crowns, bridges, implants and dentures, and often involve provisional adjustments and close follow-up to ensure the new vertical height is comfortable and functional.