Evaluation of anterior open-bite treatment with occlusal adjustment.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cephalometric and occlusal changes, the functional occlusion, and the dentinal sensitivity of anterior open-bite treatment with occlusal adjustment.


METHODS
The sample comprised 20 patients who experienced relapse of the anterior open bite (mean, -1.06 mm). Occlusal adjustment was performed until a positive overbite was established. Cephalometric changes were evaluated on lateral cephalograms taken before and after the occlusal adjustment. The functional occlusion analysis consisted of evaluating immediate anterior and canine guidance and the number of teeth in contact before and after the procedure. Dentinal sensitivity was evaluated before, shortly after, and 4.61 months after the occlusal adjustment. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric changes and the number of teeth in contact were compared with dependent t tests. Percentages of anterior and canine guidance before and after the adjustment procedure were compared with the McNemar test. To compare dentinal sensitivity at several stages, the nonparametric Friedman test was used, followed by the Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
Significant increases in overbite and mandibular protrusion were seen, as were significant decreases in apical base discrepancy, facial convexity, and growth pattern angles. The percentages of immediate anterior and canine guidance increased significantly, as did the number of teeth with occlusal contacts. Dentinal sensitivity increased immediately after the adjustment but decreased to normal levels after 4.61 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Occlusal adjustment is a viable treatment alternative for some open-bite patients; it establishes positive vertical overbite and improves the functional occlusion with only transient dentinal sensitivity.
Janson
Guilherme
G
Crepaldi
Marcus Vinicius
MV
de Freitas
Karina Maria Salvatore
KM
de Freitas
Marcos Roberto
MR
Janson
Waldyr
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016302:Centric Relation; D002508:Cephalometry; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment / Q000009:adverse effects; D024343:Open Bite / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D014716:Vertical Dimension
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical