Restoring the occlusal vertical dimension in severe tooth wear case

A 62-years old partially edentulous male patient presented advanced tooth wear and a lowered occlusal vertical dimension. The patient hid his dental condition for many years by never smiling. Esthetic, masticatory and phonation functions needed significative improvments. The decreased vertical dimension was restored during a six weeks period using provisional crowns. The final oral rehabilitation was done using porcelain fused to metal crowns and two removable partial dentures attached with snap systems. Number of abutment teeth has to be increased in tooth wear cases. Occlusal nightguard is mandatory. Keywords: vertical dimension, bruxism, nightguard