The relevance analysis of hyoid bone position to skeletal or dental openbite and dentofacial characteristics.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the hyoid bone position and skeletal or dental openbite and to investigate dentofacial characteristics as indicated by the hyoid bone position. STUDY DESIGN: In our study, 182 patients were included on the basis of skeletal and dental openbite. The hyoid bone position of the subjects was compared and evaluated. In addition, by dividing the samples according to the hyoid bone position, dentofacial characteristics of the subjects were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the hyoid bone position according to the skeletal pattern, not dental pattern. The skeletal openbite group showed low hyoid bone position. In addition, the low hyoid bone group showed short ramus height, short posterior facial height, retrusive chin, and clockwise-rotated mandible. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low hyoid bone had a tendency toward skeletal openbite, even though there was no dental openbite. Moreover, low hyoid bone position had relevance to retrognathic dentofacial characteristics.