Quadrilateral Analysis of Saudi Adults with Anterior Openbite

The aims ofthis study were (1) to apply the quadrilateral analysis to Saudi adult male and female patients with normal occlusion, (2) to compare the results to Saudi adult male and female with anterior openbite, and (3) to evaluate the correlation of the quadrilateral variables. The normal occlusion sample consisted of 60 lateral skull radiographs (30 male and 30 female) of Saudi adults with normal occlusion and balanced face selected from the cephalographs of fourth year dental students. The openbite sample consisted of 60 pretreatment lateral skull radiographs (30 male and 30 female) of Saudi adult with anterior openbite selected from the cephalographs of patients referred for the correction of dentofacial deformities. The cephalometric radiographs were traced by hand. The quadrilateral was constructed and measured for analysis. The quadrilateral analysis was applied to Saudi adult males with normal occlusion and the results were compared to Saudi adult males with anterior openbite. The quadrilateral analysis was applied to Saudi adult females with normal occlusion and the results were compared to Saudi adult females with anterior openbite. The quadrilateral analysis of Saudi adult males with anterior openbite was compared to Saudi adult females with anterior openbite. Correlation analysis of the quadrilateral variables and the relation proportional correlation of the quadrilateral analysis for the Saudi adult males with anterior openbite was evaluated. The method error was small and acceptable. The quadrilateral analysis of the craniofacial structures of Saudi adults showed the following. (1) In subjects with normal occlusion the length of the maxillary base and the length of the mandibular base and the average of lower face heights were equal. (2) In openbite subjects compared to normal: [a] the maxillary and the mandibular base lengths were small. [b] The facial heights were large. [c] The sagittal angle was large. [d] The maxillary and mandibular sagittal ratios were large. [e] The posterior extensions ofthe maxilla and mandible were short. The average lower facial height was large. [g] Vertical sagittal ratio was larger than normal. (3) The correlation analysis showed that the malformation of the craniofacial structure in anterior openbite subjects resides in the maxillomandibular complex. The results suggest that in conjunction with the ODI, the sagittal angle, the maxillary and mandibular sagittal ratio can be additional parameters in determining an openbite tendency.