The Fallacy of Tongue Thrust and Non-Surgical Treatment of a Severe Anterior Open Bite

Abstract

1.1.Introduction: The causal relation between tongue thrust swallowing/habit and development of anterior open bite continues to be made in clinical orthodontics yet studies suggest a lack of evidence to support a cause and effect. Treatment continues to be directed towards closing the anterior open bite frequently with surgical intervention to reposition the maxilla and mandible. This case report illustrates a highly successful non-surgical orthodontic treatment without extractions. 1.2.Case report: After seeking treatment options since the age of 12 and undergoing several unsuccessful attempts to close her anterior open bite, the patient who is a dentist presents at the age of 33 and successfully completes non-extraction orthodontic treatment in 15 months. Post treatment results show a dramatic closure of the anterior open bite and proper interception of teeth with a proper over jet and overbite relation. A stable occlusion without an anterior overbite relapse is maintained at a two-year recall visit. 1.3.Conclusion: Tongue thrust swallowing as a cause of an anterior open bite appears more a fallacy than a direct cause. This case report illustrates the potential of non-extraction orthodontic therapy with a system of braces that utilizes light forces and moves the tooth roots toward their final position from the onset of treatment in a short of amount of time from weeks to months.