Cephalometric Assessment of Skeletal and Dental Determinants ofAnterior Open Bite in Saudi Populations

Objective: To evaluate craniofacial and dental cephalometric characteristics associated with anterior open bite and compare them with individuals exhibiting normal occlusion among the Saudi population. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Orthodontics, King Khalid University. The sample comprised 57 pretreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs (37 AOB cases and 20 controls with normal Class I occlusion) obtained from the Orthodontic Unit archives (2017–2022). Radiographs were digitally traced using CEPHIO, and 19 cephalometric parameters were measured based on Beane et al.’s definitions. The inclusion criteria were Saudi nationals with having age range of 12–25 years, anterior open bite 1 mm. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23:00. Results: Among fifty-seven samples 35.1% were found with AOB in which male AOB were 51.4% and g females were 48.6% were found with AOB. No significant association of AOB with gender (p=0.23)n was found. The mean comparison of skeletal anterior-posterior cephalometric measurements revealed that the mean Sella-Nasion-A point Angle (SNA) in class-I occlusion was 82.3 (SD=±5.7) and among AOB it was 79.7 (SD=±3.7), while the mean comparison of skeletal vertical cephalometric measurementsshowed that the mean of all these parameters was found significant. Among AOB, the mean L1-MP was 44.8 (SD=±7.9), and mean L6-MP was 34.4 (SD=±6.6), both were found to be significantly. Kims overbite depth indicator revealed that among AOB cases it was 65.2 (SD=±8.0) found significant. Conclusion: The craniofacial and dental cephalometric characteristics associated with anterior open bite revealed no gender predilection, and no significant difference in anterior-posterior dental parameters. Lower SNA, elevated skeletal and dental vertical height in AOB patients, significantly lower ODI in AOB subjects, with further reduction in female patients and compare them with individuals exhibiting normal occlusion among the Saudi population