Case Study: Claire

This young lady complained that she could not touch her front teeth together. She had what is referred to as an anterior open-bite, meaning that the front teeth do not touch or overlap, thereby creating the open bite. This is one of the most problematic bite abnormalities in orthodontic treatment because of the tendency for the problem to relapse when the front teeth are extruded.

In her case we used the latest treatment technique to optimize stability by intruding the lower posterior teeth into the jawbone just a couple millimeters using skeletal anchors. This allowed the font teeth to close without exerting any extrusive forces which tend to relapse. By intruding the lower molars, we ensured stability because every time the patient swallows, the teeth come together and prevent the eruption of the molars. She was very happy with her result and her case has maintained stability for years now.