Cephalometric evaluation of anterior open bite treatment using reverse curve arches and anterior elastics in adolescents

ABSTRACT

Anterior open bite is a challenging malocclusion that Orthodontists deal with in their day to day practice. Many treatment options exist for its correction and the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of reverse curved NiTi arches on anterior open bite treatment in adolescents and to investigate whether true intrusion of molars could be achieved in this special age group. The study sample consisted of 15 patients [age ranged from 12.2 to 14 years]. All presented a high angle skeletal pattern and an anterior open bite. After initial leveling, upper accentuated curve and lower reverse-curve 0.016 × 0.022 inch arch wires were placed, with anterior elastics applied in the canine regions. Cephalometric assessment was carried out on lateral head films taken at the beginning of treatment and on average 3 months after open bite closure was obtained. The upper and lower incisors, the upper and lower first premolars and the upper and lower first molars were uprighted and extruded. The overbite was increased significantly due to the extrusion of the upper and lower incisors, while the overjet was reduced due to uprightening of both upper and lower incisors. This technique was effective in the treatment of open bite in young adolescents although no true intrusion was achieved in the molar region. Further studies are suggested to investigate the long term stability of our results: