Original Article
Anterior open bite in the deciduous dentition: Longitudinal follow-up and craniofacial growth considerations*,**,*

https://doi.org/10.1067/mod.2002.126898Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of this longitudinal cephalometric study was to evaluate craniofacial growth changes in subjects with an anterior open bite in the deciduous dentition. From longitudinal records of untreated subjects, an open bite group (n = 14) was selected at the age of 5 years based on the presence of a negative overbite and compared with a control group (n = 14) with a regular overbite at this age. Cephalometric measurements were analyzed at ages 5, 9, and 12 years. Although only 1 subject in the deciduous dentition open bite group had an open bite at 12 years of age, the overbite remained lower during the longitudinal follow-up. Early cephalometric characteristics of the open bite group included a reduced overbite depth indicator and a lower ANB angle. At ages 9 and 12 years, the open bite sample was also characterized by shorter ramus height. An underlying skeletal pattern seems to be present in the deciduous dentition open bite sample that persists during the longitudinal follow-up. The overbite depth indicator might help to identify patients with anterior open bite tendencies. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2002;122:353-8)

Section snippets

Material and methods

The records were obtained from the Child Research Council in Denver, Colorado, and included longitudinal data from annual lateral cephalometric radiographs. All subjects were white and had not received orthodontic treatment. Selection of the open bite sample was based on a negative deciduous incisor overbite when measured to the occlusal plane at the age of 5 years. Fourteen subjects with negative overbites were chosen. The open bite was slight to moderate with a mean overbite of −0.7 mm (range

Results

The overbite measurements of the deciduous dentition open bite group and the control group are given in Table I.

. Descriptive statistics and statistical comparison of overbite

Empty CellDeciduous dentition open bite group (n = 14)Control group (n = 14)Mann-Whitney test
Age (y)MedianMeanSDMinMaxMedianMeanSDMinMaxZP
5−0.6−0.70.6−2.4−0.11.91.90.31.52.3−4.510.000***
91.71.62.1−1.35.54.34.11.41.36.3−3.081.001**
123.02.71.6−1.05.14.54.71.03.26.3−3.381.000***
**P <.01, ***P <.001.

SD, Standard deviation; Min, minimum;

Discussion

The deciduous dentition open bite sample in the present study was characterized by a slight-to-moderate negative overbite. Although no habits had been noted, because of the young ages of the subjects, digit sucking or other habits cannot be ruled out. Longitudinal studies on dental casts for overbite change during the deciduous dentition have been conducted by Moorrees12 and Eismann and Reichert.13 Both studies showed that the amount of overbite in the permanent dentition is not closely related

Conclusions

  • 1.

    Thirteen of 14 subjects with an anterior open bite at age 5 years were characterized by a positive overbite when followed longitudinally until age 12. However, the overbite at 12 years was lower when compared with the control group.

  • 2.

    Early cephalometric characteristics of the deciduous dentition open bite included lower measurements for the overbite depth indicator and the ANB angle. During the longitudinal follow-up, the deciduous dentition open bite sample was also characterized by shorter

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    *

    bProfessor and chair, Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.

    **

    cProfessor and chair, Department of Orthodontics, University of Hamburg, Germany.

    *

    Reprint requests to: Dr Arndt Klocke, Department of Orthodontics, Kieferorthopaedie, ZMK-Klinik, Pav. O 53, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; e-mail: [email protected].

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