Objective: Surgical correction of skeletal open bite often requires maxillary impaction to achieve counterclockwise rotation of the mandible and subsequent reduction of anterior facial height. The aim of this case report was to show the clinical use of mini implants as skeletal anchorage units and intrusion of the maxillary buccal dentoalveolar segments to correct skeletal open bite as an alternative to surgery.
Methods: A 15 year old female patient with skeletal anterior open bite, Cl II malocclusion and bimaxillary protrusion was treated with a fixed transpalatal arch with the ends inside an acrylic cap covering upper molars and premolars. Six self-drilling mini implants were implanted between upper left and right molars and premolars. Alastic chains were placed bilaterally in the maxillary arch between the mini implants and the traction hooks. About 150g force was applied on each side. After intrusion, four first premolars were extracted and fixed appliances were applied to correct bimaxillary protrusion.
Results: At the first stage of treatment anterior open bite was corrected in 3 months with 3,5 mm of intrusion of the molars and premolars and counterclockwise rotation of the mandible. Overbite was increased from -5mm to 2mm. Lower anterior facial height was decreased from 67,5 mm to 63 mm.
Conclusion: Intrusion of the maxillary posterior segments and counterclockwise rotation of the mandible was achieved with the aid of mini implant skeletal anchorage in a nongrowing patient with skeletal anterior open bite without cooperation and surgery.