Posterior tooth angulations in patients with anterior open bite and normal occlusion

•We compared the posterior tooth angulations in open-bite and normal occlusions. •Premolars had a greater mesial angulation in the open-bite group. •Molars had a greater distal angulation in the open-bite group. Introduction The aim of this study was to compare the posterior tooth angulations in patients with open-bite malocclusion and normal occlusion. Methods Lateral cephalometric headfilms of 45 untreated open-bite subjects were compared with the lateral headfilms of 45 subjects with normal occlusion in the permanent dentition. The groups were matched for age and sex distribution and compared with t tests. Results The maxillary and mandibular premolars were more mesially angulated in relation to the bisected occlusal plane, and the first and second molars were significantly more distally angulated in the open-bite group in relation to the palatal and mandibular planes. Conclusions The maxillary and mandibular premolars were more mesially angulated in relation to the bisected occlusal plane and therefore do not compensate for the divergence of the palatal and mandibular planes as the molars do.