Study Reveals Short-term Stability of Anterior Open Bite Treatment with Clear Aligners

USA: Researchers from the Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California, have conducted a groundbreaking study on the short-term stability of anterior open bite (AOB) treatment with clear aligners in adults. The study, authored by Heeyeon Suh, Bella Shen Garnett, Kimberly Mahood, Robert L. Boyd, and Heesoo Oh, was published on August 7, 2023, in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Positive Outcomes in AOB Treatment

The study, a retrospective cohort analysis, included 52 adult AOB patients aged over 18 years, comprising 15 males and 37 females. The participants underwent nonextraction clear aligner treatment and were observed for at least one year posttreatment. Remarkably, the research found that AOB was successfully corrected in all 52 patients using only clear aligners, without the need for additional aids such as microimplants.

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The research shed light on the effectiveness of retention methods employed post-treatment. The mean retention period was 2.1 ± 1.1 years, during which the patients were retained with both maxillary and mandibular fixed retainers and maxillary and mandibular vacuum-formed retainers. Notably, 94% of patients exhibited positive overbite at more than one year into the retention period.

Cephalometric Measurements and Predictive Insights

The study evaluated eleven cephalometric measurements at pretreatment, end of active treatment, and at least one year posttreatment. Surprisingly, the mean change in overbite during treatment was 3.3 ± 1.5 mm, with only 6% of patients showing relapse at least one year after treatment completion. Intriguingly, the mean change of overbite during the retention period (0.2 ± 0.5 mm) was not statistically significant, indicating the short-term stability of the AOB correction.

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The research also unveiled a predictive model for open bite relapse, with tongue posture at the initial examination emerging as the sole statistically significant predictor. This emphasizes the importance of considering tongue posture or interincisal tongue position during the initial examination for successful and stable AOB treatment.

Implications for Clinical Practice

These findings carry significant implications for the field of orthodontics, showcasing the efficacy of clear aligners in AOB correction and the importance of specific considerations, such as tongue posture, for predicting treatment outcomes. The study contributes valuable insights for clinicians seeking optimal solutions in adult orthodontic treatments.