Relationship of the preferred vertical dimension of occlusion to the height of the complete dentures in use

The dependence of the preferred vertical dimension of occlusion (PVDO) of edentulous subjects on the height of the complete dentures the subjects were wearing was investigated. Two experiments were carried out. Experiment I tested whether PVDO is influenced by a change in the vertical dimension of occlusion of the dentures. Experiment II compared PVDO values before and after insertion of dentures that had been constructed with an occlusal vertical dimension equal to PVDO. It is concluded that PVDO is independent of the height of the complete dentures the subject is wearing. Clinical implications are discussed