Evaluation of Correlation between Wits’ Appraisal and a New Method for Assessment of Sagittal Relationship of Jaws

Abstract Background and Aim: Although Wits’ appraisal is a valuable measurement for sa-gittal jaw relationship evaluation in orthodontic patients, occlusal plane detection is difficult in a lot of cases or is challenging due to its various inclinations. In this study, a new method for assessment of sagittal skeletal relationship is introduced and the purpose of this investigation is to evaluate correlation between wit’s appraisal and this new method. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of 71 orthodontic patients (male and female) from all types of skeletal malocclusions (class I, II, III) were collected and analyzed. Two perpendicular lines were traced to Frankfort Horizontal plane (FH) and also to functional occlusal plane (Witʹs) from points A and B. Distances of points of contacts on both occlusal and functional occlusal planes were measured. Pearson Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between AO´-BO´ dis-tance on FH (called q) and Wits’ appraisal. Correlation of these variables was eva-luated with SNA, SNB, ANB and overjet, separately. Results: The results showed a high correlation of variables using Frankfort Horizon-tal plane and Wits’ appraisal (r= 0.82). Both methods revealed significant statistical relationship with SNA, SNB, ANB and overjet (p < 0.05). The highest scores of correlation with ANB were obtained in using both methods. Conclusion: The use of measurement is as much valuable as the usual Wits’ mea-surement and it can be a good alternative in patients when tracing the accurate oc-clusal plane is impossible or difficult. Key Words: Wits’ appraisal, functional occlusal plane, frankfurt plane