Characteristics of malocclusion in Iraqi orthodontic patients overjet and overbite variations (Comparativestudy).

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the variations of overbite and overjet in a group of patients needing orthodontic treatment and compare them with a previous Iraqi study. Materials and Methods: A number of 1550 pretreated orthodontic patients were clinically examined intra orally for certain occlusal features as overjet, overbite anterior openbite and anterior crossbite of ages, one year to more than thirteen years of age. Results and Conclusion: No significant differences were found between males and females among all variables. Overjet values were normal at stages of deciduous dentition and the distribution of both increased and decreased overjet values were high at mixed and permanent dentition stages. The distribution of anterior crossbite was low. Conclusion: There was a significantly high distribution of increased overjet and overbite in the total age group, in addition to a significant increase in the distribution of anterior crossbite indicating an increase in the severity of malocclusion during the last decade.