Open bite in Iraq : a national survey

Abstract EN

Open bite is a common malocclusion affecting children and adults.

Materials and method: About seven thousand 13 year olds with no history of orthodontic treatment were selected from six governorates (Baghdad the capital, Ninevah, Basrah, Diyala, Anbar and Najaf).

An intra-oral clinical examination was used to examine anterior and posterior open bite.

Results : Anterior open bite (-4 to -1mm) was found in 2.2% and posterior open bite was found in 1.5% of the sample (0.83% unilateral and 0.63% bilateral) both being more prevalent among females