The interrelationship of arbitrary surface inter-condylar distance, freeway space, rest vertical dimension and occlusal vertical dimension

Aims: To find the correlation between arbitrary surface intercondylar distance on one hand and freeway space, rest vertical dimension, occlusal vertical dimension on the other hand. Methods: A cross sectional study of randomly selected individuals between 18–56 years old, in a tertiary hospital in Ikeja from September- October 2017. Participants were examined and measurements, arbitrary surface intercondylar distance, rest vertical dimension,and occlusal vertical dimension were taken. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 20. Level of significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Of the 48 participants involved in this study, 50% were males. Majority (47.9%) were between 26–35 years old with a mean age of 31 years. Participants in age group 18–25 years and ≥36 years had similar freeway space (FWS) which were 3.43±1.01 mm and 3.45±0.82 mm respectively while 26–35 years old had 3.13±0.87 mm. Mean FWS was 3.29 mm. There was no significant statistical difference in FWS based on gender and age. Spearmans correlation coefficient (R2) analysis revealed a positive correlation of intercondylar distance with freeway space, rest vertical dimension and occlusal vertical dimension. Regression equations were formulated and utilized to calculate concerned parameters. Conclusion: There is correlation between inter condylar distance on one hand and freeway space, rest vertical dimension and occlusal vertical dimension on the other hand. Therefore a regression equation becomes a simple and rapid method of calculating each parameter.