TITLE:
Therapeutic Approach to Anterior Open Bite Using Molar Intrusion on Miniscrews: A Clinical Case Study
AUTHORS:
Laila Lazrak, François Tonamou, Amadou Oury Diallo, Meriem Bellamine, Ihsane Ben Yahya
KEYWORDS:
Anterior Open Bite, Molar Intrusion, Miniscrews, Temporary Anchorage Devices, Orthodontics
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
13,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Anterior open bite is a therapeutic challenge in orthodontics, often associated with a high recurrence rate. While orthognathic surgery remains an option, posterior tooth intrusion using temporary anchors has emerged as an effective non-surgical therapeutic approach. The aim of this article was to present the non-surgical management of anterior open bite in an adult patient with hyperdivergence, using miniscrew-assisted posterior tooth intrusion. Method: A 28-year-old female patient with a 6 mm open bite, facial hyperdivergence and lingual dysfunction was treated with a fixed vestibular multi-attachment appliance. The intrusion mechanism was based on double skeletal anchorage in the vestibular and palatal areas of the posterior maxilla to achieve pure molar intrusion. Tongue re-education was carried out in parallel to correct the tongue dysfunction. Results: The 18-month treatment resulted in complete correction of the open bite. Cephalometric analysis confirmed mandibular anterior rotation and a reduction in lower facial height. The result remained stable after 2 years of orthodontic treatment, with Class 1 occlusal relationships. Conclusion: Posterior tooth intrusion using miniscrews is an effective and non-invasive alternative to surgery for moderate to severe anterior open bites. Long-term stability is dependent on the concomitant correction of lingual dysfunction, emphasizing that the combination of orthodontic mechanics and functional therapy is a determining factor for success.