A 2-year follow-up of mandibular posture following an increase in occlusal vertical dimension beyond the clinical rest position with fixed restorations

While resting mandibular posture is continuously changing, repeatable relations of 'physiologic rest position' (PRP) and 'clinical rest position' (CRP) are described in the literature. The PRP is defined as a position of minimal muscle activity and CRP as a more closed clinical reference relation. Relaxed resting posture (RRP) is a repeatable postural range obtained by operator-induced relaxation techniques. This article reports on measurements of mandibular posture in a patient group following an increase in occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) with fixed restorations beyond CRP over 2 years. The relationship of CRP and RRP in the restored and a non-restored control group is compared. The relationship of RRP and corresponding masseteric EMG values to baseline minimal EMG levels is reported for both groups. Resting face height adapted to the increased OVD and remained consistent over 1 and 2 years. The RRP was greater and significantly different from CRP in both groups (P = 0.0001). Results indicated that both CRP and RRP were postural ranges and not specific postural positions. The RRP occurred at minimum baseline EMG levels for both groups and appears to be consistent with physiologic rest position. The possibility of achieving minimal EMG levels at varying interocclusal rest space relations is discussed.