Introduction
The etiology of an anterior open bite (AOB) is multifactorial in nature. Unfavorable growth patterns, oral habits, respiratory factors, and neuromuscular imbalances have been suggested to play a role. AOB results in significant esthetic and functional concerns often, including difficulties with breathing, chewing and speaking.1The treatment outcome should improve both: esthetic and function. Finally resulting in satisfaction; as evaluated in national dental practice-based research from the United States.2
The scope of Clear Aligner Therapy (CAT) has greatly increased over the past decade or so from treating merely a mild to moderate crowding to a well-controlled sophisticated therapeutic solution for complex malocclusions too. Though scholarly evidence for the system is still in infancy, 3,4 published case reports have showcased extremely encouraging outcomes with complex cases.5,6These cases report novelties in the literature such as those involving extractions, open bites, cross bites, and class II malocclusions. The fact that patients undergoing CAT demonstrate better quality of life (QoL) scores during treatment helps the practitioner to imbibe such treatment for their patients - also to tackle challenging cases.7,8
Recent clinical literature has demonstrated how an AOB can be efficiently addressed with posterior intrusion accompanied by retraction of incisors using CAT, both with and without adjuncts.9
This article describes three cases with an AOB, which have been treated with different mechanics as mandated by the malocclusion. Case 1 was treated with CAT entirely with judicious use of attachment geometry and mechanics, case 2 was treated with CAT, attachment geometry selection and vertical elastics, finally case 3 was treated with CAT, attachments and temporary anchorage devices.