Transverse dentoskeletal features of anterior open bite in the mixed dentition.

OBJECTIVE: To apply both conventional cephalometric analysis and morphometric analysis (thin-plate spline analysis) to posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms to test the hypothesis that the dentoskeletal features of subjects with anterior open bite in the mixed dentition are no different from those of normal controls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 22 white subjects (6 males, 16 females; mean age, 8.7 +/- 0.7 years) with anterior open bite (AOBG) was compared with a control group (CG) of 22 white subjects (11 males, 11 females; mean age, 9.2 +/- 0.8 years) with Class I occlusal relationships, and without anterior open bite and sucking habits. Subjects of both groups were in the mixed dentition and had no history of orthodontic treatment. Between-group statistical comparisons were performed with independent sample t-tests and permutation tests.
RESULTS: AOBG exhibited statistically significant shape differences with respect to CG that consisted of a transverse contraction of the zygomatic region, of the maxilla (at both skeletal and dentoalveolar levels), and of the mandible (in both condylar and gonial regions), with a downward dislocation of point menton. With conventional cephalometrics, AOBG showed a statistically significant transverse deficiency in the zygomatic region (-4.8 mm), in the maxilla at both skeletal and dentoalveolar levels (-2.0 mm and -3.0 mm, respectively), and in the mandible in both condylar and gonial regions (-3.6 mm and -4.0 mm, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Subjects with anterior open bite showed transverse deficiencies in the zygomatic region, in the maxilla, and in the mandible when compared with normal subjects.