Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim of the study: To determine the Correlation between the occlusal vertical dimension and length of thumb in coastal Andhra population. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 220 subjects in coastal Andhra. Occlusal vertical dimension by Niswanger and Thomson method (two pinpoint markings were placed on the tattoo stickers of the tip of the nose and the most prominent point on the chin) was measured, and then the length of thumb finger (The proximal point on the radial side of the proximal crease over the first meta¬carpophalangeal joint and the distal point in the dactylion, the distal-most part of the thumb) was measured with a vernier calliper. The sample size was measured using G power 3.1.9.2 with Zα 0.05, Power 80% and the effect is 0.6, and the sample size obtained was 220. Results: Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the data. The thumb length was significantly correlated (0.001) with strong and positive values (Pearson’s coefficient =0.662 in the whole population). Regression analysis that thumb length was significantly related to the vertical dimension of occlusion. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of the study, the result implies that thumb length can be used as an alternative for establishing O.V.D. in the edentulous patients. Keywords: Thumb, the vertical dimension of occlusion (O.V.D), Pearson coefficient, edentulous patients.