Influence of anterior open bite on oral health-related quality of life. A systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Anterior open bite is a malocclusion caused by genetic and environmental causes that affect esthetics, occlusion, and speech, impacting the quality of life in children, adolescents, and adults. However, to date, no systematic review has analyzed the influence of anterior open bite (AOB) on oral health-related quality of life.

Material and methods: This systematic review conducted a comprehensive search in the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EBSCO, SCOPUS, and LILACS databases until September 30, 2023. A total of 321 articles were identified across these databases. After applying the selection criteria, 13 articles were selected for full-text evaluation. Ultimately, only six studies, all cross-sectional, were included in the review. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was utilized to assess the risk of bias in these studies.

Results: Six studies have found that AOB affects quality of life. In adults, it has a greater impact on women, especially on psychological and social well-being. In children, negative effects are observed in symptoms, function, and psychological aspects, with poor outcomes. One study found no significant differences in quality of life in children with AOB.

Conclusions: The review indicates that AOB (anterior open bite) significantly impacts quality of life, particularly in psychological and functional areas such as speech, eating, and smiling. This information is essential for both orthodontists and patients. While most studies show moderate bias, further well-designed research is recommended. Key words:Open bite, oral health-related quality of life, review.