Vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO): cephalometric norms for a Moroccan population.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to develop cephalometric standards of the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) in Moroccan adults. METHODS: Our data consisted of standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs of 98 students at the Casablanca Faculty of Dentistry. These included 74 women and 24 men aged 18-34 years, who were selected on the basis of a well-proportioned face, acceptable profile, Class I occlusion, minor or no crowding, and no history of orthodontic treatment. Mean values of seven (six angle and one linear) dentoskeletal parameters were determined from lateral cephalometric radiographs. RESULTS: These Moroccans tended to exhibit an opening in the VDO in comparison with the standards of Steiner and Wylie and those of other populations: GoGn/SN: 35.4 degrees +/- 5.3 degrees , FMA: 25.6 degrees +/- 5.1 degrees , Occ/SN: 19.3 degrees +/- 4.7 degrees , Occ/Fr: 9.1 degrees +/- 4 degrees , SGn/Fr: 59.2 degrees +/- 3.4 degrees , ENA-Xi-Pm: 46.2 degrees +/- 4.4 degrees , ENA-Me: 69.7 +/- 5.9 mm. CONCLUSION: Moroccans have distinct cephalometric characteristics, which should be used as the reference in future orthodontic and prosthetic treatments.