Evaluation of Possible Association Between Incisal Canal and Central Incisor Root Apex in Open Bite Patients

Objectives: Anterior Open Bites (AOB) range between 4-16% of the population for White and African American subjects respectively. The etiology of anterior open bite is multi-factorial but the important consideration is whether the AOB has a skeletal or dental component. This finding is important to aid the clinician in diagnosing and creating a treatment plan that would lead to both an esthetic and stable result. Many studies rely on different cephalometric measurements to determine the etiology. This study aims to use the incisive canal to the root apex as an ideal method of understanding the etiology of AOB.
Methods: Total 54 subjects studied. 4 measurements of Cone Beam Computed Tomography of patients presenting for AOB treatment (N=10) were compared with a control group (N=44) of normal Class I malocclusions; Palatal plane (PP), Incisive canal to incisal edge (ICIA), length of incisor (LI), and length from Incisive canal to Root apex (LICRA). This study was performed retrospectively in an Orthodontic Clinic at the University of Alabama Birmingham and received Institutional Board Review. The investigator was blinded to the etiology of the presenting and measurements were made in mm.
Results: The distance from the root apex to the incisive canal was measured and the dataset was normally distributed. An independent sample t-test showed only significant difference in LICRA (P<0.05). There is no significant difference in other measurements.
Conclusions: The incisive canal has tremendous potential as indicator of Open Bite Etiology.