Cephalometric Evaluation Of Dentoalveolar And Morphological Changes Associated With Overbite In Maxilla & Mandible In 13-18 Year Old Adolescents

AIM: The present study was carried out to cephalometrically evaluate the morphological and dentoalveolar height changes in maxilla and mandible associated with overbite in 13-18 year old adolescents. The main aim of this study was to seek possible identifiable associations of overbite with morphology of maxilla and mandible among different overbite groups. METHODS:For the present study a sample of 96 (44 males and 52 females) untreated adolescents with an age range of 13-18 years were selected from the records of the Department of Orthodontics, J.S.S Dental College & Hospital, Mysore. The subjects were divided into four groups (normal bite, deep bite, edge to edge bite and open bite) on the basis of overbite. Various cephalometric points, planes, angles, linear and area measurements were used in this study to evaluate the morphology of mandible and maxilla in different overbite groups. A significant difference was found in the morphology and dentoalveolar heights of maxilla and mandible among the overbite groups. RESULTS: The result of this study showed that subjects with open bite generally had increased maxillary anterior and posterior dentoalveolar heights and mandibular anterior dentoalveolar height and they also had a larger maxillary, mandibular and symphysis area and larger gonial angle, whereas subjects with deep bite had opposite characteristics. Subjects with open bite also showed a long symphysis among all overbite groups, while subjects with deep bite had a larger maxillary anterior depth. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of maxillary and mandibular dentoalveolar heights, area, gonial angle and shape of the symphysis may be useful in the treatment of overbite problems. Keywords: Dentoalveolar, Cephalometrics, Overbite