FREQUENCY OF ANTERIOR OPEN BITE IN PREADOLESCENT PATIENTS REPORTING FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Introduction: Failure to overlap the teeth can be seen in orthodontics OPD on routine basis. This is some time very alarming as it can lead to vertical excess which need to be treated by surgery.

Objective: To determine the frequency of Anterior open bite in preadolescent subjects

Material & Methods: It’s a Descriptive Cross sectional study This study was conducted at orthodontic department Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro/Hyderabad from February 2008 to November 2009. Preadolescent patients with anterior open bite were selected for the study by purposive sampling technique. Dental cast and a brief history of 118 patients were taken after informed concern and fulfilling inclusion criteria. Dental casts were assessed for the presence of anterior open bite. The frequency of anterior open bite and its percentage with respect to gender and age was calculated.

Results: The frequency of open bite was found to be 8%,from these 3% patients had anterior open bite of less than 1 mm, while 5% patients had anterior open bite of between 1.1 – 2 mm. Male to female ratio of patients having anterior open bite was 1:3.

Conclusion: The value of high incidence of anterior open bite in preadolescents suggest that there is need to intensify oral health education in our environment, targeted at both parents and children to enable them benefit from interceptive orthodontic care which has numerous advantages.