title: Influence of occlusal plane inclination on ANB and Wits assessments of anteroposterior jaw relationships.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although assessments of anteroposterior relationships are vital for orthodontic treatment planning, they cannot be precisely achieved by current cephalometric and noncephalometric resources. ANB angle and the Wits appraisal are the most popular cephalometric measurements applied in clinical orthodontics, although they have drawbacks. Facial vertical features, especially the occlusal plane angle, play an important role in their assessment, contributing to their unreliability.
  
  
  METHODS
  To further understand the influence of occlusal plane inclination, ANB angle and the Wits appraisal were analyzed in cephalo-lateral radiographs of 122 finished orthodontic patients in 2 groups: high occlusal plane angle and low occlusal plane angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a tendency for inconsistency between ANB and Wits assessments in the high occlusal plane angle group and a tendency for consistency in the low occlusal plane angle group. Cranial base influences on ANB and Wits assessments were investigated by subdividing the groups. Any of the considered cranial base factors was decisive for lack or presence of consistency between ANB and Wits assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinician should beware of possible misinterpretations when using ANB and Wits to assess the anteroposterior relationship of the jaws, especially in high occlusal plane angle patients.
authors: marinho@delsanto.com.br
authors: Marinho
authors: M
authors: Del Santo