Summary
To determine the association between loss of vertical dimension and the presence of angular cheilitis in complete denture wearers treated at the Dental Clinic of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 60 complete denture wearers, selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, after informed consent was obtained. The occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) was assessed using the Willis compass metric technique. Pearson’s chi- square test was applied to analyze associations. Among the 41 patients diagnosed with angular cheilitis, 82.9% showed loss of OVD. A significant association was also found between the presence of angular cheilitis and loss of vertical dimension (61.7%). we can conclude that, the loss of vertical dimension is associated with the presence of angular cheilitis in comple- te denture wearers.
KEY WORDS: edentulous arch, cheilitis, vertical dimension, complete dental prosthesis.