Correlation between index finger length and occlusal vertical dimension in dentate adults of different facial forms in West Bengal population: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between index finger length and occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) across different facial morphological types in dentate adults of West Bengal population.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 212 dentate adults (122 males and 90 females) aged 25-55 years attending the outpatient department of Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Materials and methods: Participants were classified into three facial types based on facial index: euryprosopic ( n = 86), mesoprosopic ( n = 66), and leptoprosopic ( n = 60). Index finger length was measured from the fingertip to the metacarpophalangeal joint using a digital caliper. OVD was measured from subnasale to gnathion using the Willis gauge.

Statistical analysis used: Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients, analysis of variance/Kruskal-Wallis tests for group comparisons, and multiple linear regression modeling were used. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: Significant positive correlations were found between index finger length and OVD across all facial types (Mesoprosopic: ρ = 0.555, P < 0.001; Euryprosopic: r = 0.505, P < 0.001; and Leptoprosopic: r = 0.459, P < 0.001). The overall correlation coefficient was 0.503 ( P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that index finger length significantly predicted OVD (β = 0.424, P < 0.001), with the model explaining 26.7% of variance ( R² = 0.267, F = 18.90, P < 0.001). The predictive equation was: OVD = 4.03 + 0.41 × finger length.

Conclusion: Index finger length demonstrates a moderate positive correlation with OVD across all facial types, suggesting its potential as a supplementary anthropometric guide for OVD estimation in clinical practice.