Abstract
Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion. This could occur in the anterior or posterior region, and may be attributed to the supra eruption of the posterior teeth or the infra eruption of the anterior teeth and it is common in both adults and children. To evaluate the prevalence of anterior open bite (AOB) in 2 to 5 -year -old children and the aetiological factors responsible for it. The study group comprised 1031 children (429 boys and 602 girls) between the ages of 2 to 5-years, who were examined for the presence of AOB and the relationship with various oral habits. AOB was present in 29 (2.8%) of the subjects. Sucking habits were observed in 267 (25.9%) children. Only 29(10.9%) of the children with sucking habits had an AOB which was asymmetric in 20 (7.5%) and symmetric in 9 (3.4%). The asymmetric AOB was significantly higher in children with thumb sucking habits than in finger suckers (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between frequency, duration of sucking habits and AOB. The 4-year olds showed a significant difference in the number of children with AOB (P<0.05). Sucking habits of 1-2 hours and duration of 24 to 60 months exhibited the highest prevalence of an AOB in 13 (44.8%) and 17 (58.6%)children respectively. The prevalence of AOB in this study is 2.8%. Thumb sucking is the most important aetiological factor in the formation of an AOB in 2 to 5-year-old children.
Highlights
Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion 1
Racial differences were observed for anterior open bite in children with values ranging from 4-8% in white Americans1, 31, 7-16% in African Americans15, 31, 10-16.5% in East Africans [16, 17] and 2-4% in British subjects[10]
This study demonstrated that oral habits have been associated with the occurrence of anterior open bites and the thumb and finger exhibited the highest frequency and were most implicated
Summary
Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion 1. Anterior open bite as defined by Subtelny and Sakuda2, 3is the deviation in the vertical relationship of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches with a definite lack of contact in the vertical direction between opposing segments of teeth It was defined by McSherry as a vertical occlusal anomaly with no vertical overlap of the upper and lower incisors[4]. Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion.
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