CORRELATION OF INTERCONDYLAR DISTANCE AND OCCLUSAL VERTICAL DIMENSIONS IN DENTATE INDIVIUALS

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation between intercondylar distance and occlusal vertical dimension in dentate individuals. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Prosthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, from January 2025 to June 2025. Methodology: One hundred dentate individuals aged 18–30 years with Class I occlusal relationship were selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Intercondylar distance (ICD) was measured between bilateral Denar posterior reference points using digital vernier callipers with extended arms. Occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) was measured from subnasale to menton with a modified Willis gauge in maximum intercuspation. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression were applied. Results: The mean age was 24.26±4.13 years, and 56(56%) participants were female. The mean ICD was 140.72±8.75 mm and the mean OVD was 65.15±4.97 mm. ICD showed a moderate positive correlation with OVD (r=0.525, p<0.001) and explained 27.5% of its variance, giving the equation OVD=23.184+0.298(ICD), with a standard error of estimate of 4.26 mm. Both measurements were greater in males (p<0.001). The correlation was significant in females (r=0.410, p=0.002) but not in males (r=0.050, p=0.749). Conclusion: Intercondylar distance showed a moderate positive correlation with occlusal vertical dimension in dentate individuals; however, it accounted for only about one-quarter of the variation in occlusal vertical dimension, and the association differed between males and females.