Predicting Occlusal Vertical Dimension Using Facial Anthropometry: Development of Population-Specific Regression Models

Abstract

Background: Determination of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) remains one of the key challenges in prosthodontics due to the lack of a universally accepted and sufficiently accurate method. Anthropometric approaches have been proposed as a simple and objective way to estimate OVD, although their applicability may vary across different populations.

Objective: To evaluate whether selected facial anthropometric dimensions can serve as reliable predictors of OVD and to develop regression models for estimating the nasion–menton distance in a sample of the Bosnia and Herzegovina population.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study included 60 subjects aged 20–45 years with preserved occlusal relationships and normal facial morphology. A total of 30 anthropometric parameters were measured using standardized techniques. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Simple linear regression was used to assess individual predictors, while multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) was applied to develop two models based on the presence or absence of intraoral landmarks.

Results: All analyzed variables showed statistically significant associations with the nasion–menton distance (p<0.001), with the strongest correlations observed for bizygomatic width (r=0.947), nasion–incision (r=0.895), and nasion–gingival papilla tip (r=0.891). Both regression models showed high predictive accuracy (R²=0.958 and R²=0.950), with better performance when intraoral landmarks were included.

Conclusion: Selected facial anthropometric parameters can estimate the occlusal vertical dimension with high accuracy. Regression models provide a reliable approach for clinical estimation, particularly when intraoral landmarks are available.