Hyoid bone position of severe Class II anterior open bite patients with degenerative joint disease

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have reported close relationship of the hyoid bone and the adjacent structures. The aim of this study is to analyze vertical, horizontal and angular position of the hyoid bone in female adults with severe Class II and to find out relationships between hyoid bone position and anterior open bite with degenerative joint disease. Methods: Forty women who had been diagnosed with skeletal Class II (ANB angle > 3°) were evaluated. The samples divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 subjects (age

24.72±7.48) without open bite and no degenerative joint disease. They had normal disk position from TMJ MRIs and showed no anterior open bite (overbite > 0 mm) from cephalograms. Group 2 consisted of 20 subjects (age

25.65±7.14) with severe anterior open bite (> 2.8 mm) and degenerative joint disease. DJD was diagnosed from MRIs or radiographies by an experienced radiologist. Lateral cephalograms of each subject were traced and digitized. Independent t-test was used to compare the hyoid bone position between two groups. Results: Subjects with open bite and degenerative joint disease showed no statistically significant differences in vertical, horizontal and angular position of hyoid bone compared with group with normal overbite and no degenerative joint disease.