The diagnosis and treatment of anterior openbite malocclusion

Chang, Young Il; Moon, Seong Cheol

Abstract

There are varieties of severe malocdusions, which can be treated orthodontically, but with a great deal of effort. Anterior openbite, in particular, is one malocclusion thought to be more difficult to treat, and therefore, most of them have to be corrected by means of surgical intervention. To solve these problems, numerous studies pertinent to treatment modalities have been introduced with controversies on the effectiveness of treatment. Suggested treatment-modalities for anterior openbite are based directly or indirectly on the neuromuscular and morphological features and on the etiologic and/or the environmental factors. Even though the vertical relationship of the face is increased due to the growth variation, the normal occlusal relationship can be achieved by the adequate dentoalveolar compensatory mechanism, but in the case of inadequate or negative dentoalveolar compensation, openbite is likely to be present. If the skeletal dysplasia is too severe to be solved by orthodontic treatment alone, combined treatment with surgery should be done to restore the function and the esthetics of the orofacial complex. In many cases, however, orthodontic alteration of the dentition pertinent to the given skeletal pattern with the proper diagnosis and treatment planning can bring satisfactory results. The treatment changes with the Multiloop Edgewise- Archwire(MEAW), therapy occurred mainly in the dentoalveola~ region and showed a considerable similarity to the natural dentoalveolar compensatory mechanism. In other words, the MEAW technique allows orthodontists to produce the natural dentoalveolar compensation orthodontically. Even if an openbite is corrected by the orthodontic dentoalveolar compensation suitable for the skeletal pattern, relapse may still occur by the persisting etiologic factors which originally prohibited the natural dentoalveolar compensation. The etiologic factors should be determined at the time of initial diagnosis and should be controlled during treatment and retention.