Prevalence of anterior open bite in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: European archives of paediatric dentistry 2022-06, Vol.23 (3), p.355-364
• Main Authors: Avrella, M. T., Zimmermann, D. R., Andriani, J. S. P., Santos, P. S., Barasuol, J. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 42020183162; 42020183162CRD; Adolescent; Bias; Child; Children; Citation management software; Content analysis; Dentistry; Dentition, Mixed; Female; Humans; Male; Medicine; Meta-analysis; Open Bite - epidemiology; Prevalence; Search engines; Systematic Review; Teenagers; Teeth
• ISSN: 1818-6300; 1996-9805
• DOI: 10.1007/s40368-021-00683-6

Purpose Anterior open bite is defined by the lack of incisal contact between the teeth in centric relation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anterior open in children and adolescents. Methods This systematic review included a search in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. The acronym PECOS was considered: (P) children and adolescents, (E) presence of anterior open bite, (C) not applicable, (O) prevalence, and (S) observational studies. The risk of bias assessment was carried out using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. The prevalence meta-analyses were performed using MedCalc ® software. The certainty of the evidence was determined with the GRADE approach. Results 26 studies were included. Eleven studies were judged at low, seven at moderate, and eight at high risk of bias. The overall prevalence of anterior open bite was 16.52% (95% CI 12.34–21.17) in children and adolescents. The prevalence was 19.38% (95% CI 13.77–25.69) in South America. The prevalence of anterior open bite was 22.67% (95% CI 16.56–29.43) among females and 16.99% (95% CI 11.77–22.94) among males. The prevalence of anterior open bite was 18.84% (95% CI 13.88–24.38) in the primary dentition, and 14.26% (95% CI 7.67–22.46) in the mixed dentition. The overall certainty of the evidence was very low. Conclusion The overall prevalence of anterior open bite was 16.52% in children and adolescents aged 2–16 years. Giving the limitations of a prevalence meta-analysis, the extrapolation of the results should be cautious. Registration number CRD42020183162, 10 July 2020.