Frequency of anterior bite patients reporting to AFID, Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to calculate the frequency of an anterior open bite in a set of population comprising of military as well as civilian patients reporting to orthodontic department of Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry [AFID], Rawalpindi, from all over the country. Out of a total sample of 1856 patients reporting to AFID from 2001 through 2008, 1800 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Dental records including photographs and casts were assessed for the presence of anterior open bite. The frequency of open bite from the total sample and its percentage with respect to gender and age was calculated. The frequency of open bite was found to be 4%. The mean age of patients was 21.6 years. Females were twice as frequently affected as males. Simple anterior open bite was more prevalent. It is self evident that this is one of the most difficult malocclusions to manage and maintain in orthodontics. Its treatment should be primarily etiology oriented and preferably customized so as to prevent the chances of relapse