Anterior Open Bite and Its Challenges in Untreated Orthodontic Patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Anterior open bite (AOB) is a challenging orthodontic
problem which affects the anterior vertical dimension of the face
and dentition. Patients with this problem present with challenges
which this study aims to determine. The objective of this study is to
identify the problems associated with AOB in untreated orthodontic
patients in Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods: A total number of 165 untreated orthodontic patients
who presented to the clinic were evaluated using the vertical
dimension of the occlusion (the Overbite). Four (4) groups were
identified namely: Normal Overbite (served as the control group),
Incomplete overbite, Anterior Open Bite and Deep Overbite. AOB
was determined as an actual vertical gap between the upper and
lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion. The challenges
were identified. Statistical analysis was done with IBM SPSS version
21.0. The student t- test, was used to determine the relationship
between variables, frequencies for variables were determined and
cross tabulations between variables established. P values at <0.05
were set as significant.
Results: The prevalence of AOB in this study was 66(40%). Normal
overbite was seen in 46(27.9%) of the study population, Incomplete
overbite in 44(26.7%) and deep overbite in 9(5.4%). The actual
vertical gap (AOB) when measured ranged from 1-7mm
(SD±1.55mm). The most prevalent AOB value was 4mm and was
seen in 28(42.5%). The 21-30-year-old age group had the highest
number with AOB in 38(57.6%). Four challenges were identified and
included the inability to bite with the anterior teeth (IAB), speech
disturbances (SPD), tongue thrusting (TT) and TMJ problems
(TMJP). Most of the patients with AOB had a combination of two
challenges (IAB+SPD) in 37(30.9%), 28(17.0%) had a combination of
three challenges (IAB+SPD+TT) and only one, 1(0.6%) all four
challenges (IAB+SPD+TT+TMJP). Those with normal overbite,
incomplete overbite and deep overbite had no challenge. Significant
values were seen between the age of the patients and AOB
challenges, p<0.05 and highly significant values between the AOB
value and the overbite and AOB challenge.
Conclusion: AOB challenges were identified in this study. The larger
the AOB value, the greater the challenge.