Orthodontic surveys of the adolescent and adult population of the United States have shown that the incidence of anterior open bite is three to four times higher in blacks than in whites. A cephalometric comparison of black subjects with and without an open bite was used to identify skeletal and dental differences between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were found in the vertical skeletal dimensions and incisor proclination. The open-bite group had a significantly longer anterior lower facial height and total facial height. The mandibular plane was rotated down relative to the cranial base and Frankfort plane and gonial angle was increased in the open-bite sample. There were small differences between the open bite and non-open-bite groups in the cranial base angle and the overbite depth indicator of Kim. No significant differences were found in the skeletal anteroposterior dimensions or dental vertical development. The vertical skeletal pattern and the greater degree of dental proclination differentiated black patients with an anterior open bite from those without.