ISSN: 2329-6674
Dina S Hassan and Amal H Abuaffan
Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and etiological factors of anterior open bite in the permanent dentition in a sample of Sudanese university students.
Materials and methods: A cross section study for 1224 Sudanese university students (612 males and 612 females), age ranges between 17 and 23 years old. Anterior open bite was registered when there was lack of contact between the anterior teeth while the posterior ones stayed in occlusion.
Results: The prevalence of anterior open bite among 1224 university students was 8.5% (11.77% in males and 5.23% in females). The most common etiological factor was thumb sucking habit (24.1%). Moderate anterior open bite had the highest percentage (59.6%) among the students with open bite followed by severe anterior open bite (32.7%) and the extreme anterior open bite had the lowest percentage (7.7%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of anterior open bite in this study was high 8.5%. Thumb sucking habit was the most common cause of anterior open bite among the students.