Orthodontic Treatment of Class III Open Bite Malocclusion Without Orthognathic Surgery

The correction of a combined dento-skeletal open bite with Class III malocclusion represents one of the most difficult treatment modalities suggesting orthognathic surgery. This report presents a patient who was recommended for surgical correction of the dysgnathia, but refused osteotomies. The orthodontic correction was carried out using multiloop edgewise archwires and short Class III elastics. After extraction of all third molars the occlusal plane was inclined steeper. The orthodontic correction comprised an active treatment period of 23 months including uprighting of teeth, molar intrusion, closure of the anterior open bite, establishing anterior guidance, and slight improvement of the facial profile. The two-year post-treatment follow-up showed a bilateral Angle class I without open bite.