Inconsistencies in the differential diagnosis of open bite.
OBJECTIVE
To examine inconsistencies in the differential diagnosis of open bite.


METHODS
Using visual judgments, a total of 77 anterior open-bite cases in the postpubertal growth period were grouped as either morphogenetic, functional, or combination. The same sample was also grouped as either hyperdivergent, normodivergent, or hypodivergent using mandibular-plane angle and conventional cephalometry. Kappa analysis was used to test the agreement between the 2 methods of evaluation, and chi2 tests were used to analyze the distribution of cephalometrically grouped hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent cases among the visually assessed morphogenetic, functional and combination groups and vice versa. A kappa score of 0.343 indicated a weak agreement between visual judgment and cephalometric methods of evaluation (P < .001).


RESULTS
Despite the expectation that cases evaluated as hyperdivergent using cephalometry would be visually evaluated as morphogenetic, more than half of the cases assessed as hyperdivergent were in fact classified as functional.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the inadequacy of relying solely on cephalometric evaluation to classify open bite.
Arat
Zuleyha Mirzen
ZM
Department of Orthodontics, University of Ankara, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkey. mirzenarat@hotmail.com
Akcam
Mehmet Okan
MO
Esenlik
Elçin
E
Arat
F Emel
FE
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005386:Fingersucking / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009058:Mouth Breathing / Q000150:complications; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D024343:Open Bite / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D023861:Photography, Dental; D010808:Physical Examination; D011627:Puberty; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology; D014061:Tongue Habits; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D014796:Visual Perception