The tongue thrust -open bite analogy: A case series

Abstract

Treatment of a malocclusion characterized by open bite can be a difficult task for the orthodontist because such a malocclusion develops as a result of the interplay of many different etiologic factors. This article presents a case series of patients showing varying degrees of anterior open bite having a tongue thrusting habit. All patients were given a tongue crib appliance along with 0.022MBT preadjusted edgewise brackets treated with different modalities. Extraction of all 1st premolars was initiated in one case and retraction of anterior teeth was done using skeletal anchorage to improve the overjet and overbite. In other cases, non-extraction therapy was advocated with a modification of MEAW technique by incorporating reverse arch wire mechanics and correcting the anterior open bite.