CEPHALOMETRIC PARAMETERS AFFECTING SEVERITY OF ANTERIOR OPEN BITE

One hundred and four patients with anterior open bite (AOB) were subdi vided by statistical means into three distinctly separate groups with AOB of different severity based on the extent of separation of the inc isors in the vertical plane. Cephalometric evaluation of all subjects was completed using 24 skeletal and 12 dentoalveolar measurements, and the results were compared between the mild, moderate and severe group s of AOB. The findings suggest that the palatal plane, mandibular occl usal plane, upper anterior dental height and upper posterior dental he ight correlate significantly with the severity of AOB. In contrast, sk eletal jaw relationship in the horizontal plane correlated only weakly with severity. This study further highlighted the steep mandibular oc clusal plane as an important indicator of AOB severity in contrast to the maxillary occlusal plane.