Nonsurgical orthodontic treatment for an adult with skeletal open bite, class III malocclusion and posterior crossbite: A case report

Class III malocclusion associated with skeletal anterior open bite pattern in adults can be a challenging orthodontic problem, especially for the nonsurgical treatment. Conventionally, several treatment alternatives are available such as tooth extraction, molar intrusion, and absolute anchorage system or orthognathic surgical correction. Although correction with surgery may be the most effective and stable way, many patients refused surgical treatment plan because of the costs and traumas it may bring. We reported a nonsurgical orthopedic treatment of 22year-old male with severe skeletal anterior open bite, dental Class III malocclusion, posterior crossbite and a high mandibular plane angle. The patient refused surgery and extraction. So we formulated a treatment plan consisting of using rapid palatal expansion appliance to expand the maxilla, standard edgewise brackets to align the teeth, Class III elastics to correct the canines, premolars, and molars relationship, reverse curve of the nickel-titanium wire combined with anterior vertical elastics to intrude molars and correct open bite. In this case, without suffering of surgery, the posterior crossbite was ideally corrected, and ideal overjet and overbite relationships and functional occlusion were all achieved. The patient obtained satisfactory occlusal as well as functional and stable results.