Etiology and Types of Open Bite Malocclusion
- Open bite malocclusion can occur due to various reasons, including genetic factors, functional habits, and transitional changes from primary to permanent dentition.
- Factors such as tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, long-term pacifier usage, macroglossia, airway obstruction, adenoid hypertrophy, and nasal concha hypertrophy can contribute to open bite.
- Non-nutritive sucking habits like finger and pacifier sucking have been proven to be linked to open bite.
- Secondary dysfunctions can occur due to the protrusion of maxillary incisors, which disrupts lip seal and tongue position.
- Hypertrophic adenoids and tonsils can cause airway obstruction, leading to mouth breathing and potential open bite development.
- Open bite malocclusion can be classified into different types, including anterior open bite, posterior open bite, skeletal open bite, and dental open bite.
- Each type of open bite has distinct causes and characteristics.

Prevalence of Open Bite Malocclusion
- The prevalence of anterior open bite varies between studies, estimated to be between 1.5% and 11% in the population.
- Prevalence decreases with age as oral function improves, with 4.2% of six-year-olds exhibiting anterior open bite compared to only 2% of fourteen-year-olds.
- Disparities in prevalence exist across different ethnicities, with 3.5% observed among Caucasian children and 16.5% among Afro-descendant children in the US.
- Age and ethnicity play a role in the prevalence of anterior open bite.
- Proper oral function development can reduce the prevalence of anterior open bite.

Treatment Options for Open Bite Malocclusion
- Treatment options for open bite malocclusion include orthodontic treatment with braces, the use of functional appliances, surgical intervention, palatal expansion, and extraction of teeth.
- Behavior therapy and appliances like tongue crib or tongue spurs can be used to control habits and correct anterior open bite.
- Vertical pull chin cup can be used in treating skeletal open bite patients.
- Extrusion of anterior teeth or intrusion of posterior teeth can be considered in the treatment of open bite malocclusion.
- High-pull headgear can be used for controlling the vertical dimension.

Stability and Relapse in Open Bite Malocclusion Treatment
- Orthognathic surgery is a stable surgical approach for open bite correction.
- Higher stability is observed in orthognathic surgical correction compared to non-surgical correction.
- Relapse after intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth is possible, with the majority of relapse occurring during the first year of treatment.
- Cephalometric analysis and long face syndrome are related topics in stability and relapse of open bite correction.

Complications and Challenges in Open Bite Malocclusion Treatment
- Temporomandibular joint disorders, speech difficulties, esthetic concerns, patient discomfort during treatment, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach are some of the complications and challenges in open bite malocclusion treatment.
- Temporomandibular joint disorders can be a complication of open bite malocclusion.
- Speech difficulties, chewing and swallowing problems, facial aesthetics, and dental wear and tear can be affected by open bite malocclusion treatment.