The Wits appraisal among a Nigerian sub-population: an assessment of dental base geometric factors

Ifesanya Joy Ucheonye,Adeyemi Abigail Tokunbo,Otuyemi Olayinka Donald

doi:10.1590/s1677-32252013000400001

Abstract

The Wits appraisal is a common linear cephalometric analytic tool established by Jacobson. It has been reported to be superior to angular cephalometric measures as it is not dependent on pericranial structures and their variations both during growth and orthodontic treatment. Aim: To obtain reference values for the Wits appraisal among Nigerians and assess the effect of the dental base geometry on it. Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 100 Nigerian subjects with normal occlusion were analyzed to obtain the Wits appraisal, and the effect of the vertical distance from subspinale to supramentale, length of the palatal and mandibular planes, the mandibular plane angle as well as the palatal plane angle were assessed using the ANOVA and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 20.69 ± 4.9 years. Thirty-four (34%) were males and 66(66%) were females. Mean Wits value of -3.43 ± 3.24 mm was obtained based on the functional occlusal plane (FOP). Linear regression analysis showed that the vertical height from subspinale (A point) to supramentale (B point) caused a significant change in the Wits appraisal reading in participants still undergoing active growth process (less than 16 years of age) (p=0.02). Conclusions: It is advocated that the Wits appraisal be used as a moderator to the ANB angle among Nigerians. However, as a result of dental height variations its use in growing Nigerian children requires caution.

Highlights

IntroductionRadiographic analysis is useful in diagnosis, treatment monitoring and assessment of achieved goals at the end of orthodontic treatment
Received for publication: June 10, 2013 Accepted: September 27, 2013Correspondence to: Ifesanya Joy UOrthodontic Unit, Department of Child oral Health, College of MedicineUniversity of Ibadan, Nigeria, Phone: +2348055623129Radiographic analysis is useful in diagnosis, treatment monitoring and assessment of achieved goals at the end of orthodontic treatment
This study presents reference values for the Wits appraisal among a group of Nigerians and investigates the effect of the dental base geometry on it

Summary

Introduction

Radiographic analysis is useful in diagnosis, treatment monitoring and assessment of achieved goals at the end of orthodontic treatment. It influences the course of treatment for malocclusion especially when decisions for or against extractions are involved[1]. The ANB angle used in Steiner’s analysis[2,3] has been the most commonly used and possibly the simplest radiographic parameter in sagittal skeletal base position assessments[4]. The reliability of the ANB angle has been reported to be dependent on the antero-posterior position of the nasion and the subspinale[5], the length of the cranial base, the inclination of the mandible in reference to the anterior cranial base, inclination of the occlusal plane, and the vertical dental height from A to B points[5,6,7,8]. Numerous cephalometric parameters have been proposed as adjuncts to the ANB10-14

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