What does a Willis bite gauge do?

A Willis bite gauge is specifically designed to measure the vertical dimension of occlusion in dental practice. The vertical dimension of occlusion refers to the space between the upper and lower jaws when the teeth are in a closed position. This measurement is crucial for various dental procedures, including the fabrication of dentures and the assessment of occlusal relationships in restorative dentistry. The gauge allows dental professionals to ensure that the occlusion is correctly established, which is vital for both functionality and aesthetics in prosthodontics.

The other options, while relevant to different aspects of dental practice, do not align with the primary function of a Willis bite gauge. Maintaining pulp vitality pertains to endodontic treatments, measuring carious tooth structure relates to caries assessment and diagnosis, and estimating crown size is typically done using different tools for restorative purposes. Each of these areas is significant in dentistry, but the Willis bite gauge's dedicated role is explicitly focused on the vertical dimension of occlusion.