title: Molar height and dentoalveolar compensation in adult subjects with skeletal open bite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar components in adult subjects with skeletal open bite in the presence or absence of dental compensation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample included 69 adult female subjects who belonged to three groups according to skeletal vertical relationships and overbite. A total of 15 variables (5 angular, 10 linear) were evaluated. Values in the dentally compensated open bite group (COBG), the dentally noncompensated open bite group (NCOBG), and the control group with normal vertical skeletal relationships and overbite (CG) were compared by means of parametric statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The COBG and the NCOBG showed significantly greater incisor and molar heights in both jaws than the CG. No significant difference in upper or lower molar height was found between COBG and NCOBG. Incisor height was significantly greater in COBG than in NCOBG. Elongation in the incisor region was accompanied by significant narrowing of the lower anterior alveolar process in both skeletal open bite groups. Proclination of the upper incisors was significantly smaller in the COBG than in the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dentoalveolar components consisting of incisor elongation and inclination play a significant role in compensating for skeletal open bite configuration in adult subjects. Increased molar height is a common finding in adults with skeletal open bite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, 1st Medical Faculty of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. joekuc@seznam.cz
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kucera
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marek
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tycova
authors.forename: Tiziano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baccetti
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000503:physiopathology; D008963:Molar / Q000503:physiopathology*; D024343:Open Bite / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult