Determination of the occlusal vertical dimension facilitating smooth esophageal elevation

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We evaluated the usefulness of employing the occlusal force during swallowing as a parameter for determining the occlusal vertical dimension facilitating smooth, reproducible esophageal elevation. As a result, the occlusal force during swallowing in normal dentulous subjects significantly elevated with an increase in the vertical dimension. In maxillo-mandibular edentulous subjects, the occlusal force during swallowing became minimal with an appropriate vertical dimension, and significantly increased with an increase or decrease in the vertical dimension. In normal dentulous subjects, the saliva passage time during dry swallowing tended to decrease with an increase in the vertical dimension. These results suggest that the occlusal force during swallowing can be used as an objective parameter for the determination of the vertical dimension.