Vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO): cephalometric norms for a Moroccan population.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this work was to develop cephalometric standards of the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) in Moroccan adults.

METHODS

Our data consisted of standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs of 98 students at the Casablanca Faculty of Dentistry. These included 74 women and 24 men aged 18-34 years, who were selected on the basis of a well-proportioned face, acceptable profile, Class I occlusion, minor or no crowding, and no history of orthodontic treatment. Mean values of seven (six angle and one linear) dentoskeletal parameters were determined from lateral cephalometric radiographs.

RESULTS

These Moroccans tended to exhibit an opening in the VDO in comparison with the standards of Steiner and Wylie and those of other populations: GoGn/SN: 35.4° ± 5.3°, FMA: 25.6° ± 5.1°, Occ/SN: 19.3° ± 4.7°, Occ/Fr: 9.1° ± 4°, SGn/Fr: 59.2° ± 3.4°, ENA-Xi-Pm: 46.2° ± 4.4°, ENA-Me: 69.7 ± 5.9 mm.

CONCLUSION

Moroccans have distinct cephalometric characteristics, which should be used as the reference in future orthodontic and prosthetic treatments.