Vertical Dimension in Prosthodontics Theory and Practice (Part III): Contemporary Clinical ...
cureus.com
When the jaw's vertical dimension collapses from erosion, attrition, or abrasion, restoring it demands a systems-thinking approach — revealing how multifactorial feedback loops make even routine dental rehab a complexity puzzle.
Systems ThinkingMultifactorial CausationFeedback Loop TheoryComplexity Theory
Theory Briefing
- Vertical Dimension of Occlusion loss stems from overlapping causes — erosion, attrition, and abrasion — making single-cause diagnoses dangerously incomplete.
- Systems thinking frames VDO collapse as a feedback loop: tooth loss alters bite forces, which accelerates further wear in a self-reinforcing cycle.
- Contemporary prosthodontic protocols attempt to interrupt this cycle through staged rehabilitation, illustrating how clinical intervention must match the complexity of the underlying system.