Intermaxillary elastic traction applied to three adult open-bite patients

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 1561 - 1568
• Main Authors: OKA, Masuichiro, NAKAZATO, Kazunari, MUKAE, Fujio, TAKENOSHITA, Yasuharu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 1985
• Subjects: intermaxillary elastic traction; Open bite; TMJ arthrosis
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.31.1561

Generally it is more difficult to treat adult patients suffering from open-bite because of relapse occurrence. Recently we had a good result in treatment of open bite by application of intermaxillary elastic traction with bite splint. For treatment of three cases diagnosed as arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint with open bite, this method was indicated. Intermaxillary elastic traction was made for 28 days to 2 months. Improvement in open bite was attained in 10 to 21 days. To prevent the relapse after closing open bite, we instructed them to use a chin cap during the night at least for half a year. None of these cases had relapse of open-bite or TMJ arthrosis. As improvement mechanism, it was considered that open bite closing was obtained by inclination of upper anterior upward. So we can conclude that this method was useful for treatment of the open-bite patient with a normal molar occlusion.