Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Armed forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), Rawalpindi, Pakistan

2 Resident Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Armed forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

10.22034/ijo.2006.251375

Abstract

Aim: Open bite is the most difficult malocclusion to treat. Complete knowhow of its frequency is required for an efficient treatment delivery to a community. The main goal of this study was to calculate the frequency of an anterior and posterior open bite in a local setting.
Materials and Methods: Out of a total sample of 1856 patients reporting to Armed Forces institute of dentistry from 200lthrough 2008, 1800 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Dental records including photographs and casts were observed for the presence of anterior and posterior open bite. The frequency of open bite from the total sample and its percentage with respect to gender and age was calculated.
Results: The frequency of open bite was found to be 5.5%, 73.73% had anterior open bite and 26.26% had posterior open bite. The mean age of patients was 21.6 years. Females were twice as frequently affected as males. Unilateral posterior open bite and Simple anterior open bite were more prevalent.
Conclusion: There is no question that this is one of the most difficult malocclusions to manage and maintain in orthodontics. Its treatment should be primarily etiology oriented and according to our individual requirements so as to prevent the chances of relapse WO 2006; 1:172-5).

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