Does correction of deep bite malocclusion in growing Class II patients using anterior bite plates induce changes in mandibular growth or position? A systematic review

Abstract

ObjectivesTo elucidate the available evidence regarding the actual effect on mandibular growth and position after early bite opening in growing patients with Class II deep bite malocclusion. This procedure is claimed to be clinically effective in gaining changes in both anteroposterior and vertical skeletal mandibular position. MethodsThe data were extracted from MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, LILACS, and The Cochrane Library, which were searched until March 2016 in addition to hand searching of some orthodontic journals. There was a language restriction in which only the articles written in English and French were included. The eligibility criteria included randomized and quazi-randomized clinical trials, and growing subjects with both Class II and deep bite malocclusions. ResultsThe Search resulted in 1219 citations from which only one article was eligible to be included in the qualitative analysis. The included study was a quazi-randomized controlled trial. By applying the Cochrane tool for risk of bias assessment tool, it was shown to have a high risk of bias. The same study was given a score of 19 on the Downs and Black scale. ConclusionsLow-quality evidence was revealed in the studies addressing the effect of bite opening in growing subjects with Class II deep bite malocclusion. Accordingly, the impact of early bite opening on the mandibular skeletal component is still questionable and requires further and more well-designed studies.