Anterior Open Bite Management Strategies
Summary
The management of anterior open bite encompasses a spectrum of orthodontic and orthopaedic interventions aimed at achieving satisfactory occlusal contact of the anterior dentition. Strategies span from behavioural and functional appliances in growing patients to skeletal anchorage devices and orthognathic surgery in non-growing or severe cases. Early non-compliance therapies, such as posterior bite blocks and palatal cribs, may stimulate dentoalveolar adaptation while minimising reliance on patient cooperation. In contrast, skeletal anchorage techniques utilise temporary anchorage devices to intrude posterior teeth, effect mandibular autorotation, and improve overbite without extra-oral appliances. Advances in three-dimensional imaging have refined diagnosis by characterising alveolar bone morphology and root positions, thereby informing personalised treatment planning. Research has additionally addressed treatment stability, quality of life and patient-reported discomfort, emphasising the importance of long-term follow-up and multidisciplinary care to enhance functional, aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes.
Research from Nature Portfolio
A single-centre randomised clinical trial in preadolescent patients compared two lingual spur protocols for anterior open bite correction. Both approaches yielded a substantial reduction in discomfort and functional limitations over 12 months, with overall quality of life improvements exceeding 30%. Adaptation to both spurs-only and spurs with build-ups was rapid, and tongue-related symptoms decreased by over 80% within the first week. These findings underscore the effectiveness and patient acceptability of lingual spurs as minimally invasive modalities in early-stage open bite management.
Anterior Open Bite Management Strategies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in anterior open bite management strategies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Anterior open bite: A malocclusion characterised by lack of vertical overlap between upper and lower incisors when posterior teeth are in occlusion.
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs): Mini-screws or mini-plates temporarily implanted in alveolar bone to provide stable anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement.
Molar intrusion: A controlled vertical movement of posterior teeth into the alveolar bone to correct excessive occlusal vertical dimension or anterior open bite.
Skeletal anchorage: The use of bone-anchored devices to apply orthodontic forces independent of dental units.
Lingual spurs: Small attachments bonded to the palatal surfaces of anterior teeth to discourage tongue thrusting and aid bite closure.
References
- Assessment of the efficacy of various maxillary molar intrusion therapies: a systematic review. Progress in Orthodontics (2023).
- Oral health-related quality of life, adaptation/discomfort during open bite treatment with spurs: complementary analysis from a randomized clinical trial. Scientific Reports (2024).
- Three-Dimensional Analysis of Alveolar Bone Morphological Characteristics in Skeletal Class II Open Bite Malocclusion: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study. Diagnostics (2022).
- Effect of molar intrusion with temporary anchorage devices in patients with anterior open bite: a systematic review. Progress in Orthodontics (2016).
- Systematic review for orthodontic and orthopedic treatments for anterior open bite in the mixed dentition. Progress in Orthodontics (2016).
- Stability of anterior open bite treatment with molar intrusion using skeletal anchorage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Progress in Orthodontics (2020).
- Prediction of changes due to mandibular autorotation following miniplate-anchored intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth in open bite cases. Progress in Orthodontics (2018).
- Outcomes and Stability of Anterior Open Bite Treatment with Skeletal Anchorage in Non-Growing Patients and Adults Compared to the Results of Orthognathic Surgery Procedures: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2021).
About these summaries
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