Analysis of the association between facial biotype, overbite and overjet in the permanent dentition

BACKGROUND: To determine the association between the facial biotype, the overbite and the overjet in digital lateral skull radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 230 digital skull lateral radiographs of patients with permanent dentition with 18 to 55 years old were used as sample. The VERT index and the Ricketts analysis were considered to identify the facial biotype, overbite and overjet. RESULTS: The facial biotype with the highest prevalence was dolichofacial with 36.52% (n=84), being more frequent in the female sex. However, the mesofacial biotype predominated in the male sex. On the other hand, the normal overbite presented the highest percentage with 66.08% (n=152) and the deep bite was more frequent than the open bite. Regarding the overjet, the normal overjet was the most prevalent with 68.70% (n=158), followed by the decreased overjet. Differences were found between the overbite values of males with brachyfacial biotype versus mesofacial and dolichofacial (p<0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between overbite and overjet in mesofacial biotype (Rho=0.83, sig=<0.001). The predominant vertical malocclusion in the dolichofacial biotype was open bite and deep bite in the brachyfacial biotype. Regarding the facial biotype and the overjet, a significant association was found only in the male sex (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained, it is concluded that there is an association between facial biotype, overbite and overjet. Key words:Facial biotype, overbite, ovejet.