A Comparative Evaluation of ANB Angle with other Linear cum Angular Skeletal and Occlusal Parameters in Different Sagittal Dysplasias

Abstract

Introduction: ANB angle is the most commonly used measurement for assessing sagittal jaw discrepancy, however various new measurements have been introduced recently to overcome some inherent deficiencies associated with ANB angle, so it becomes necessary to compare their reliability and predictability with routinely used methods like ANB angle. Aims and objectives: To assess the reliability and comparison of ANB angle over other newly introduced linear cum angular skeletal and occlusal cephalometric parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 lateral cephalograms of class I, class II, class III subjects were selected and traced as per inclusion criteria. ANB angle was measured and compared with other methods and reliability was checked and comparisons were made in each class. Results: The results showed that there was statistically significant and highly correlated relationship between ANB angle and other parameters used in the study for assessment of sagittal jaw relationship. The angular measurements with most homogenous distribution in the group were FABA angle (CV=5.1) followed by YEN, W-angle, and BETA angle, AF-BF, AXB and ANB angle. In linear measurements, most homogenously distributed was APP-BPP distance (CV=101.9) and measurements with least homogenous distribution was the Wits Appraisal (CV=-1142.9). Conclusion: ANB angle is the most commonly used parameter for assessing sagittal dysplasia, however ANB angle is affected by several environmental factors and thus a diagnosis based on this angle may give false results. No single measurement is perfect in all the cases. Therefore a number of different measurements should be used in combination to diagnose the actual sagittal skeletal discrepancy.