Assessment of Occlusal Vertical Dimension Changes in Mechanical and Virtual Articulation and Their Effects on Dentofacial Esthetics

Speaker

Yu-Chun Lin, DDS, MDS, DMSc 

Dr. Yu-Chun Lin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She earned a Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc) and a Certificate in Prosthodontics from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lin received her DDS from Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, and completed a two-year general practice residency, followed by a master’s degree in prosthodontics from National Taiwan University.

At Tufts University, Dr. Lin is dedicated to teaching both undergraduate and graduate students in prosthodontics. Recognized as a clinician-scientist-educator, she is actively involved in clinical research focusing on implant prosthodontics and the use of innovative digital technology. Her current research projects include investigating the therapeutic effects of microRNAs to reverse the pathological features of osteoporosis. During her residency at Harvard, she contributed to clinical research projects aimed at digitally evaluating the occlusal vertical dimension. 

Disclosure: Dr. Lin has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Description

Increasing occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is often indicated in complex prosthodontic treatment. Managing OVD is a critical aspect of restorative dentistry that can significantly impact both esthetic and functional outcomes. This lecture focuses on the considerations and effects of increasing OVD on dentofacial esthetics, supported by literature, and how these dentofacial esthetic changes are perceived by dental professionals and laypeople. We will also investigate the change in OVD with dental casts mounted on a mechanical articulator using an average axis facebow and on a virtual articulator mounted using the Bonwill triangle and the Balkwill angle, and compare these groups with OVD change observed clinically in patients. By the end of this lecture, participants will learn how to achieve optimal treatment outcomes through effective OVD management.

Educational Objectives

• Understand the definition and significance of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) in restorative dentistry, including considerations and effects on dentofacial esthetics and functions.
• Gain practical insights into how dentofacial esthetic changes from increasing OVD are perceived by general dentists, prosthodontists, and laypeople.
• Learn the traditional and digital techniques for mounting and increasing OVD, and the clinically acceptable range of OVD increase in virtual articulators.
  

Contact

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