Stanislav Vukovojac

Bio: Stanislav Vukovojac is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Occlusion & Dentition. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 11 publications receiving 37 citations.

Evaluation of craniometric methods for determination of vertical dimension of occlusion.

Abstract: In clinical practice, fully precise method for exact determination of vertical relation of occlusion still does not exist. This study examines the relationship between different craniofacial distances and the distance subnasale-gnathion (Sn-Gn), which represents the lower third of the face in vertical relation determination. The highest coefficient of correlation was (r = 0.8678, p < 0.05) between the distance eye-ear (E-E = lateral border of the ocular orbit-medial opening of the meatus of the external auditory canal) and Sn-Gn. The prediction of the distance Sn-Gn could be determined through the formula: Sn-Gn = E-E/1.08 or through the regression analysis: Sn-Gn = 1.9197 + 0.6449 x E-E. None of the calculated coefficients of correlation was 1, but was < 1, so that the prediction of the distance Sn-Gn by craniometric distances is not absolutely reliable, although it is considerably helpful. Our results point at the variations of craniofacial distances in the Croatian population. Yet, craniometry could still be recommended in everyday clinical practice for prediction of vertical relation of occlusion, as it is a simple, economic and non-invasive method, however in combination with some other methods, which have proved to be helpful.

The effect of occlusal relationships on the occurrence of sounds in the temporomandibular joint.

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of occlusal relationships on the occurrence of sounds in the temporomandibular joint. A group of 100 male subjects aged 24-52 years (X = 35.03+/-6.92) was examined. Analysis of occlusion included determination of the number of existing teeth, number of teeth in occlusion, overbite and overjet, type of occlusion, mediotrusion interferences, relationship of the retruded contact position (RCP) to intercuspal position (ICP), and the amount and direction of sliding from RCP to ICP. Sound was registered by means of a stethoscope and classified according to its character in click or crepitation. Sound was present in 29% of subjects. In 28% of cases it was registered as click and in 2% of cases as crepitation. One subject had simultaneous click and crepitation. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that overbite, type of occlusion, existence of mediotrusion interferences, the relationship of RCP to ICP, and the amount and direction of sliding from RCP to ICP do not have an influence on the occurrence of sounds. The risk of the occurrence of crepitation is significantly increased in the case of the loss of more than 5 teeth, and in the case of horizontal overbite larger than 7.5 mm (p<0.05).

Usporedba postupaka prosječne orijentacije sadranih odljeva u artikulatorskom sustavu

Abstract: Stomatološka ordinacija ''Štambuk \" Zavod za mobilnu protetiku Stomatološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu*

Točna ili prosječna šarnirska os mandibule

Abstract: lako je metoda određivanja prosječne točke šarnirske osi manđibule dugo priznata u artikulatorskoj tehnici, niti danas nema zajedničkog stava koja je točka klinički najprihatljivija kao prosječna točka šarnirske osi. Ispitiavnje je izvršeno na 20 studenata sa svim zubima bez objektivnih i su­ bjektivnih znakova i simptoma disfunkcije stomatognatog sustava, »Panadent« sustavom i Lauritzen-ovom tehnikom. Uspoređene su preporučene točke na »chantus« liniji od 12— 13 mm, s dopuštenom širinom rasapa od 5mm. U 50% slučajeva prihvatljiva je točka od 12 — 13 mm na chantus liniji, no za svaki kompliciraniji rad mora se odrediti točna kinematska šarinarska os manđibule.

Missing Posterior Teeth and Risk of Temporomandibular Disorders

Abstract: There is disagreement about the association between missing posterior teeth and the presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Here, the purpose was to investigate whether the number of missing posterior teeth, their distribution, age, and gender are associated with TMD. Seven hundred and forty-one individuals, aged 21-60 years, with missing posterior teeth, 386 with and 355 without TMD, were included. Four variables-gender, age, the number of missing posterior teeth, and the number of dental quadrants with missing posterior teeth-were analyzed with a logistic regression model. All four variables-gender (OR = 1.59, men = 1, women = 2), age (OR = 0.98), the number of missing posterior teeth (OR = 0.51), and the number of dental quadrants with missing posterior teeth (OR = 7.71)-were entered into the logistic model (P < 0.01). The results indicate that individuals who lose posterior teeth, with fewer missing posterior teeth but in more quadrants, have a higher prevalence of TMD, especially young women.

A comparison of the accuracy of two methods used by pre-doctoral students to measure vertical dimension

Abstract: Statement of problem Measuring vertical dimension is a soft-tissue measurement. Therefore, inaccuracy may occur. Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of the Willis gauge method with the caliper method. Material and methods The Willis gauge measures the distance between the septum of the nose and the chin. The caliper method measures the distance between reference points on the tip of the nose and the chin. Twenty predoctoral students applied both methods 10 times in measuring the rest vertical dimension (RVD) and the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) of a single edentulous patient. The measurements obtained from one experienced clinician were selected as controls for the interocclusal distances (IOD) for the Willis and the caliper methods, respectively. One-sided t tests and a 1-sided nonparametric test were used to determine significant differences between the 2 methods (α=.05). Results The variances in the RVD values for the Willis gauge method were higher than for the caliper method for most students. A Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that the accuracy of the OVD measurements for the caliper method was significantly better than for the Willis gauge method ( P =.001). This was not the case for the RVD measurements ( P =.073).The average IOD for the Willis method was significantly higher than the control IOD ( P =.026). The average IOD for the caliper method was not significantly larger than the control ( P =.1303). Conclusion This study showed that the use of the caliper method by predoctoral students was a significantly more reliable method of measuring the OVD for the patient evaluated.

Determination of occlusal vertical dimension for complete dentures patients: an updated review.

Abstract: Determination of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is an integral part of complete dentures fabrication Due to the lack of teeth, the clinician faces the challenge of how to accurately establish the OVD of the new denture Therefore, the purpose of this review article was to present, discuss and critique the available methods used in determining the OVD for complete dentures patients This review identified two main streams to determine the OVD: (i) pre-extraction methods and (ii) post-extraction methods For the pre-extraction methods, the OVD of the natural dentition is transferred to the new dentures mainly by intra-oral measurements, profile tracing and cephalometric analysis The post-extraction methods rely on mandibular rest position, facial aesthetic appearance, swallowing pattern, craniofacial landmarks measurements, cephalometric analysis, phonetics and existing dentures In general, all the available techniques have merits and are helpful for routine clinical use However, they are empirical in nature, controversial and lack the scientific support Further, there is no single accurate method for OVD determination To overcome the limitations of the techniques, the clinician will benefit from applying combination of techniques to approximate the OVD

Establishing better biological models to understand occlusion. I: TM joint anatomic relationships.

Abstract: Belief in and rejection of a relationship of occlusion and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle-fossa position with normal and abnormal function are still contentious issues. Clinical opinions can be strong, but support in most published data (mostly univariate) is problematic. Distribution overlap, low sensitivity and specificity are a common basis to reject any useful prediction value. Notwithstanding, a relationship of form with function is a basic tenet of biology. These are multifactor problems, but the questions mostly have not been analysed as such. This review moves the question forward by focusing on TM joint anatomic organisation as the multifactor system it is expected to be in a closed system like a synovial joint. Multifactor analysis allows the data to speak for itself and reduces bias. Classification tree analysis revealed useful prediction values and usable clinical models which are illustrated, backed up by stepwise logistic regression. Explained variance, R(2), predicting normals from pooled TMJ patients was 32·6%, sensitivity 67·9%, specificity 85·7%; 37% versus disc displacement with reduction; and 28·8% versus disc displacement without reduction. Significant osseous organisational differences between TM joints with clicking and locking suggest that this is not necessarily a single disease continuum. However, a subset of joints with clicking contained characteristics of joints with locking that might contribute to symptom progression versus resistance. Moderately strong models confirm there is a relationship between TMJ osseous organisation and function, but it should not be overstated. More than one model of normals and of TM derangement organisation is revealed. The implications to clinical decision-making are discussed.

An anthropometric study to evaluate the correlation between the occlusal vertical dimension and length of the thumb.

Abstract: Background Establishment of proper occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is one of the important tasks for successful prosthodontic therapy. An ideal method for determining OVD in terms of cost, time, and instrument requirements has been sought in prosthodontics by various investigators. However, no such single method has been formulated. In the current anthropometric study, the relationship of the length of the thumb to the OVD was tested in two ethnic groups of Nepal, Aryans, and Mongoloids. The result of this study can be useful in determining proper OVD in edentulous patients.