Recording the jaw relations is a critical step during the fabrication of complete dentures. Both vertical and horizontal relations must be correctly established to ensure efficient function of the complete dentures with the least amount of trauma to the supporting tissues and temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The aim of this review was to collect comprehensive data about the most recommended methods for determining the optimal vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) during the fabrication of complete dentures and to determine whether and/or to what extent these methods respect the correct spatial relations in TMJs. An electronic search through the PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, SCOPUS and EBSCO search engines selected 111 references from peer-reviewed journals, which met the inclusion criteria for this literature review. The single, exclusive and scientifically confirmed consensus for the determination of both the VDO and centric relation during complete denture fabrication is still lacking. Authors agree that the establishment of an incorrect relation between the maxilla and mandible causes severe, mostly harmful consequences in the stomatognathic system. So far the available procedures are associated with a high degree of subjective clinical judgements and variability. Thus, ongoing studies with the application of new technologies are still current and strongly recommended.

This clinical report describes a prosthodontic rehabilitation of a 29-year-old patient with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), who, after completing an orthodontic treatment, was not satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. Besides aesthetics, the patient complained about mastication muscles pain, and clicking while eating but was not aware about her unilateral open bite on the right side. The aim of this treatment was to improve smile appearance and patient’s well-being, as well as to restore the proper occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) along with complete intercuspation and to establish masticatory function. The first phase of the treatment concentrated on eliminating the muscle pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking with a repositioning splint. During the second phase, the functional and aesthetic rehabilitation was obtained using adhesive prosthesis overlays and veneers.