The development and benefits of vertical dimension primary molar buildup crowns.

This article describes the technique and advantages of vertical dimension-primary molar buildups (VD-PMB's). These primary molar buildups help correct the vertical dimension on overclosed children from 3 to 12 years old. The advantages of these VD-PMB's are enormous, with very little or no disadvantages when placed correctly. This is a very important procedure for the orthodontist because opening the bite on these children has many beneficial results. It changes the resting tongue position, changes the slope of the anterior border of the glenoid fossa from steep to normal on Class 2 div 2 patients, corrects overclosure and otitus media with effusion (ear infections). It is important for the orthodontist since it is very simple and an easy way to correct overclosure on class 2 patients, which is often not done in the correction of overclosed patients.