Without mini-plates, mini-implants and surgery: treatment of severe anterior open bite in an adult patient - a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, there is a tendency to treat open bite with mini-implants, miniplates, and orthognathic surgeries and build ups when these protocols are not always indicated and to be apply them unnecessarily and excessively. Objectives: This case report describes treatment of a severe anterior open bite in an adult patient with step bends and vertical elastics. Case report: The female patient was 29 years and 8 months old and reported that she had low self-esteem; therefore, she wanted to have her untreated open bite closed. By examination, a convex profile, vertical growth pattern, dental midline deviation, and tongue exposure could be seen upon smiling. The dental and skeletal sagittal relationship was Class II. The overjet was +5 mm and the anterior overbite was -5.5 mm. The severe skeletal open bite involved the first molars to the anterior teeth, and it was treated only with step bends and vertical elastics over 2 years. Results: Significant facial improvement, maxillary incisor exposure upon aesthetic smiling, and adequate overbite and overjet were observed. The upper and lower dental midlines fit to the sagittal line. A counterclockwise rotation of the mandible was observed. The severe skeletal open bite was treated. Conclusions: Severe skeletal open bite malocclusion treated with step bends and vertical elastics in adult patient demonstrated efficient, predictable and stable open bite correction.