International Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com) 288 Vol.6; Issue: 12; December 2019 International Journal of Research and Review www.ijrrjournal.com E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237 Original Research Article An Anthropometric Analysis of Correlation of Occlusal Vertical Dimension to Measurements of Digits of Hand Siddhi Tripathi 1 , Mansi Pandey 2 , Swatantra Agarwal 3 , Sharanya Gupta 2 , Ashish Sharma 4 1 Reader, 2 Post-graduate student, 3 Principal and Head, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad-244001, Uttar Pradesh, India 4 Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad-244001, Uttar Pradesh, India Corresponding Author: Siddhi Tripathi ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between various anthropometric measurements of hand and the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO). Methods: A total number of 500 dentate subjects were selected in a time span of six months for the study. The hand anthropometric measurements included the length of index finger, length of little finger, length of thumb and the distance between tip of thumb and tip of index finger for the left and the right hand. The distance between sub-nasale and base of chin was taken as control for assessing VDO. All measurements were recorded using a digital Vernier caliper with an accuracy of ± 0.01 mm. Results: For males, the thumb length showed a highly significant correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient-0.258, p-value-<0.001) with the VDO. For females, the tip of thumb to tip of index finger length showed a highly significant correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient-0.306, p-value-<0.001) with the VDO. Accordingly regression formulae were derived. Conclusions: In the absence of any pre-extraction records, thumb length in males and the tip of thumb to tip of index finger length in females can be used to derive the vertical dimension using the respective regression formulae reliably. Keywords: vertical dimension, anthropometry, denture, thumb, fingers INTRODUCTION The determination of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is considered one of the most important steps in complete denture construction. Improper estimation of VDO can have various deleterious effects. An excess of VDO can lead to premature tooth contacts resulting in clattering sounds, impaired speech, trauma to the underlying tissues, muscle fatigue, headache and fullness of the mouth leading to a strained facial appearance. [1-3] On the other hand, a decrease in VDO may cause reduction in biting force, pre-senile appearance and various temporomandibular joint disorders. Also, the tongue may fall back towards the throat and consequently the displacement of adjacent tissues may lead to obstruction of the eustachian tube and hence impaired hearing. Thus, the determination of correct vertical dimension becomes a very crucial and elusive step. [4-6] Past literature suggests various methods for the determination of VDO. These can broadly be divided into physiological and mechanical methods which include the use of physiologic rest position, swallowing, phonetics, aesthetics,