Abstract

Purpose: The aim of present study was to compare skeletal and dentoalveolar features of compensated and noncompensated adult open bite subjects with each other and also with those of control group. Materials and methods: A total of 100 lateral cephalograms were included in the study and were divided according to skeletal vertical characteristics into two groups: control group (CG) and open bite group (OBG). The OBG further divided into two subgroups based on amount of overbite: dentally compensated open bite group (COBG) and non compensated open bite group (NCOBG). Twenty skeletal and dentoalveolar variables were evaluated and compared between OBG and CG and also between open bite subgroups by means of Student t-test. Association between different variables and overbite was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Increased molar and incisor height in both jaws were observed in OBG compared to CG. In NCOBG lower anterior facial height and lower posterior dentoalveolar height were significantly higher than COBG. Conclusion: Dentoalveolar compensatory mechanisms in skeletal open bite patients consist of increased anterior and posterior dentoalveolar heights in upper and lower jaws compared to CG, while decreased mandibular molar height and shorter anterior face height are the most important determinants of adequate compensation in skeletal open bite subjects in our sample. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and the Japanese Orthodontic Society.