Technical Question regarding Vertical Dimension

[maxhammer]

My ortho is out of town for the weekend, and I am having anxiety about a certain issue. Hopefully an Ortho here can answer this question for me. Just a quick background: Months ago, my elastics elongated my vertical dimension (between nose and upper lip). Since then, we've been trying to minimize any movement there.

So, on that note:

1. Does moving teeth forward increase the vertical dimension (between the nose and lip)? They have this spring on my back molar right now, and it’s pushing my bicuspid forward a few mm. My ortho told me a while back that a reason not to reopen extractions sites (for implants) is that it increases the vertical dimension. So, will this spring on my back molar that is pushing the bicuspid forward do this, too?
2. Do you know if teeth that are hitting high increase the vertical? My bicuspids are hitting high on my left side, and it’s almost like I can’t close my mouth fully without them hitting. I think this is happening due to natural shift of teeth during treatment, but with regard to vertical dimension, I want to know if I'm better off clenching the teeth and letting them hit, or going slackjaw and not letting them touch.

My ortho is out of town until Monday, so I can’t ask him, and it's causing great anxiety.

Thank you.