Dynamic Effect of Occlusal Vertical Dimension on Lower Facial Form and Lip Positions

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of increased/decreased occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) on lower facial form and lip position, to analyze variations across gender groups and to analyze variations across age groups.

Conditions

• Assessment of Vertical Dimension Change

Interventions

DEVICE

Occlusal Vertical Dimension Modification (-4mm)

Participants will undergo fabrication and placement of removable bite splints designed to alter occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). On each side, four discrete reference points will be marked at the lowest point of the orbital margin and the highest point of the external auditory meatus using Whip-Mix reference plane marker.The subject's head position will be leveled with EZ bow laser level device and -4mm OVD color coded bite splints will be randomly placed in position. An image with desktop facial scanner will be taken.

DEVICE

Occlusal Vertical Dimension Modification (-2 mm)

Participants will undergo fabrication and placement of removable bite splints designed to alter occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). On each side, four discrete reference points will be marked at the lowest point of the orbital margin and the highest point of the external auditory meatus using Whip-Mix reference plane marker.The subject's head position will be leveled with EZ bow laser level device and -2mm OVD color coded bite splints will be randomly placed in position. An image with desktop facial scanner will be taken.

DEVICE

Occlusal Vertical Dimension Modification (0 mm)

Participants will undergo fabrication and placement of removable bite splints designed to alter occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). On each side, four discrete reference points will be marked at the lowest point of the orbital margin and the highest point of the external auditory meatus using Whip-Mix reference plane marker.The subject's head position will be leveled with EZ bow laser level device and 0mm OVD color coded bite splints will be randomly placed in position. An image with desktop facial scanner will be taken.

DEVICE

Occlusal Vertical Dimension Modification (+2mm)

Participants will undergo fabrication and placement of removable bite splints designed to alter occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). On each side, four discrete reference points will be marked at the lowest point of the orbital margin and the highest point of the external auditory meatus using Whip-Mix reference plane marker.The subject's head position will be leveled with EZ bow laser level device and +2mm OVD color coded bite splints will be randomly placed in position. An image with desktop facial scanner will be taken.

DEVICE

Occlusal Vertical Dimension Modification (+4mm)

Participants will undergo fabrication and placement of removable bite splints designed to alter occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). On each side, four discrete reference points will be marked at the lowest point of the orbital margin and the highest point of the external auditory meatus using Whip-Mix reference plane marker.The subject's head position will be leveled with EZ bow laser level device and +4mm OVD color coded bite splints will be randomly placed in position. An image with desktop facial scanner will be taken.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Maria D Gonzalez, DDS, MS · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-30

Primary Completion

2026-06-19

Completion

2026-06-30

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations