Nonsurgical treatment of skeletal anterior open bite in adult patients: Posterior build-ups

Objective:To (1) evaluate the efficacy of build-ups in the correction of anterior open bite in adults, (2) evaluate their efficacy in producing molar intrusion, (3) analyze skeletal and dental changes, and (4) assess the long-term stability.Materials and Methods:The sample consisted of 93 lateral cephalograms from 31 patients with skeletal and dental anterior open bite. The patients had received orthodontic treatment consisting of bonded resin blocks on the maxillary molars combined with Tip-Edge Plus bracket appliances. Cephalometric measurements were performed on radiographs taken before treatment (T1), after treatment (T2), and after a retention period (T3), which were analyzed and compared.Results:Significant dental and skeletal changes were observed after treatment. Molar intrusion averaging 1 mm; 1.44 and 1.57 mm extrusion of mandibular and maxillary incisors, respectively; and a mean of 3.98 mm overbite increase were observed. The mandibular plane angle showed a mean closure of 1.19°, and there was a mean decrease in anterior facial height of 0.7 mm. A mild relapse tendency was observed, but long-term stability was acceptable.Conclusions:Build-ups are an effective treatment alternative for anterior open bite in adults. Outcomes remain significantly stable during the retention period.     

Nonsurgical and nonextraction treatment of skeletal Class III open bite: its long-term stability.

Two female patients, aged 14 years 5 months and 17 years 3 months with skeletal Class III open bite and temporomandibular dysfunction are presented. They had previously been classified as orthognathic surgical cases, involving first premolar removal. The primary treatment objective was to eliminate those skeletal and neuromuscular factors that were dominant in establishing their malocclusions. These included abnormal behavior of the tongue with short labial and lingual frenula, bilateral imbalance of chewing muscles, a partially blocked nasopharyngeal airway causing extrusion of the molars, with rotation of the mandible and narrowing of the maxillary arch. Resultant occlusal interference caused the mandible to shift to one side, which in turn produced the abnormal occlusal plane and curve of Spee. As a result, the form and function of the joints were adversely affected by the structural and functional asymmetry. These cases were treated by expanding the maxillary arch, which brought the maxilla downward and forward. The mandible moved downward and backward, with a slight increase in anterior facial height. Intruding and uprighting the posterior teeth, combined with a maxillary protraction, reconstructed the occlusal plane. A favorable perioral environment was created with widened tongue space in order to produce an adequate airway. Myofunctional therapy after lingual and labial frenectomy was assisted by vigorous gum chewing during and after treatment, together with a tooth positioner. Normal nasal breathing was achieved.     

Nonsurgical treatment of adult open bite using edgewise appliance combined with high-pull headgear and class III elastics

This case report describes the effect of a combination of high-pull headgear and Class III elastics on the nonsurgical treatment of an adult open bite. The 19-year 1-month-old Japanese female presented with the anterior open bite of 4.0 mm and mild crowding. She had a skeletal Class II but a Class III molar relationship due to a severe proclination of the mandibular dental arch. Unilateral congenital missing premolars caused a discrepancy between the facial and dental midline. After extraction of two premolars and the impacted mandibular third molars, nonsurgical therapy was performed using the standard edgewise appliance combined with a high-pull headgear and Class III elastics. The successful treatment outcome and stability of the final occlusion indicates that a combination of high-pull headgear and Class III elastics is one of the effective devices in the nonsurgical treatment of open bite and, is especially helpful in uprighting the mandibular dental arch.     

Nonsurgical and nonprosthetic camouflage treatment of skeletal Class II open bite with bilaterally missing lower first molars

This report illustrates the successful nonsurgical and nonprosthetic camouflage treatment of a skeletal Class II open bite malocclusion combined with missing mandibular first molars bilaterally. In the mandible, the second and third molars were uprighted and protracted, substituting for the missing first molars. In the maxilla, anterior bodily retraction and full-arch intrusion were achieved following premolar and second molar extraction, which also induced autorotation of the mandible. The treatment outcome and prognosis were confirmed with three-dimensional superimposition techniques, along with long-term stability.     

Nonsurgical management of the anterior open bite: a review of the options

The open bite malocclusion has been described as being of 2 types: dental and skeletal. Proper differentiation is essential in determining the appropriate corrective measures. Dental open bites are generally more responsive to treatment with orthodontics alone, whereas skeletal open bites often require a combination of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Patient selection and treatment principles for nonsurgical open bite treatment are discussed, and a review of various methods of treatment for the skeletal open bite is presented. Posttreatment stability and retention concerns are addressed.     

Psychologic implications of surgical-orthodontic treatment in patients with anterior open bite

Two hundred eighty-two patients who received surgical-orthodontic treatment to correct anterior open bite were retrospectively evaluated by interview and questionnaires to determine the motivation and expectations before treatment, experience during treatment, psychosocial impact, functional and esthetic results, and satisfaction. All patients underwent a Le Fort I osteotomy, and 126 patients also received a bilateral sagittal split advancement osteotomy. The mean follow-up was 6 years. The most important reasons for treatment, as cited by the patients, were biting and chewing problems (28%), dissatisfaction with facial appearance (26%), and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (21%). Patients with anterior open bite had a critical attitude toward facial appearance; therefore, esthetic aspects should be taken seriously. The expectations on chewing ability, phonetics, nasal passage, and facial appearance were met by the treatment; however, expectations on TMJ function, interincisal relationship, and biting ability were not completely fulfilled. There was a subjective improvement of TMJ sounds in 27% and a worsening in 14% of the patients. Dysesthesia of the infraorbital nerve was noticed in 4% of patients and of the mental or inferior alveolar nerve in 23% of the patients. Chewing and biting abilities improved in 53% and 73%, respectively. Facial appearance, self-confidence, and social interaction had improved. Patients had expected more information before and psychologic support after treatment. Despite the relapse of open bite in 20% of the patients, 75% were satisfied with the dental and 85% with the facial appearance.     

Orthodontic treatment of anterior open bite

OBJECTIVE: To review the currently available treatment options of anterior open bite. METHODS: Search all major dental journals and literature on treatment and management of anterior open bite. Medline search (1960-2006). Literature and data on treatment and management of anterior open bite with keywords 'open bite', 'anterior open bite', 'orthodontic treatment', 'long face', 'vertical dentoalveolar problem' and 'vertical skeletal problem'. RESULTS: Over 50 articles were found and relevant information and data were reviewed by the authors. It was found that the multifactorial nature of anterior open bite makes its management difficult and various treatment modalities are being used. Clinicians must be able to diagnose the problem and choose the best treatment. CONCLUSION: Successful treatment of anterior open bite greatly relies on both diagnosis and therapeutics. Although there are many different treatment modalities available, stability after treatment is still a critical issue as evidence on long term stability of various treatment options is lacking. Thus, clinicians should pay more attention during retention phase and long-term studies on post-treatment changes and stability should be encouraged.     

Noncompliant treatment of skeletal open bite

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the effects of the rapid molar intrusion appliance, a treatment alternative that does not require patient compliance, for counteracting excessive vertical dimensions in growing patients and adults. The rapid molar intrusion appliance has 2 elastic modules that are secured on the maxillary and mandibular first-molar tubes. It is used in combination with maxillary and mandibular soldered lingual arches. Patient acceptance is good, and the patient's only responsibilities are to keep the appliance clean and avoid breakage.     

Anterior open bite treatment with magnets

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of repelling magnets on the treatment of anterior open bite and compare them with the effects of acrylic posterior bite-blocks. Twenty patients, aged 9-16 years with skeletal anterior open bite, were randomly divided into two groups. In one group the patients wore posterior repelling magnet splints and in the other they wore acrylic posterior bite-blocks of the same thickness as the magnet splints. The patients were instructed to use their appliance as much as possible (the minimum accepted being 18 hours daily) during a 6-month period. Dental casts, intra-oral photos, and lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment, and the patients were also examined regularly to identify the development of any craniomandibular disorders. In the first group, the dental and skeletal vertical relation responded quickly to the magnet treatment. The open bite was generally closed in just under 4 months, especially in patients in early mixed dentition. Spacing in the labial segments decreased in some cases, while slight crowding was induced in others. Transverse problems, i.e. unilateral cross-bite, sometimes followed by scissor-bite on the opposite side, was observed in those patients who were in the early mixed dentition and had used the magnets intensively. The patients who wore acrylic posterior bite-blocks also showed improvement in the dental and skeletal vertical relationships, especially during the first months. This was followed by a 'plateau' period. No transverse problems were found in these patients.     

前牙开(牙合)不同矫治设计的初步研究

目的 探讨前牙开不同的矫治设计和矫治技术的选择。材料方法 选择13例(男性1人,女性12人)12～45岁前牙开(牙合)畸形患者,对矫治设计和矫治技术进行总结分析,并对矫治前后的头颅侧位片进行测量分析,比较使用不同方法矫治前后的变化。结果 所有病例治疗后均取得满意疗效。其中1例为不拔牙矫治,4例为拔除第二或第三磨牙,8例为拔除双尖牙。不拔牙或拔除后牙矫治患者均采用MEAW矫治技术,通过直立磨牙、伸长切牙来改变平面、关闭开;拔除双尖牙患者采用滑动矫治技术通过内收前牙、前移磨牙来矫治开。结论 在正确诊断的前提下,结合病因治疗、选择适当的矫治技术是正畸治疗前牙开畸形成功的关键。