Algorithm for the differential diagnosis of posterior open bites: two illustrative cases.
OBJECTIVE
Posterior open bites can result from several causes: trauma, degenerative changes, tongue thrust habits, single-tooth ankylosis, multiple-tooth ankylosis, and/or condylar hyperplasia. Occasionally, posterior open bites are secondary to a combination of condylar hyperplasia and dental ankylosis, which can be difficult to diagnose and treat because of the large array of causative problems.


METHODS
This article presents 2 unusual cases of posterior open bite secondary to multiple etiologies in adolescent male patients. A useful method of algorithmic diagnosis, treatment, and protocol is presented that was used for these cases.


RESULTS
The 2 cases were successfully diagnosed and treated using the formulated algorithm for posterior open bites.


CONCLUSIONS
The algorithms presented facilitate the differential diagnosis of posterior open bites with ambiguous etiology.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Mesa, AZ, USA. mitch.ponsford@gmail.com
Mitchell W
MW
Ponsford
John P
JP
Stella
D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D002508:Cephalometry; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008260:Macroglossia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008963:Molar; D024343:Open Bite / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020254:Tooth Ankylosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis