ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of growth in anterior open bite malocclusions. Our study group consisted of 25 open bite cases with mean age of 9.83. At the first appointment , lateral cephalometric and hand wrist films were obtained. Patients were seen every 2 months for 2 years without initiating orthodontic treatment. At the end of the 2 years the open bite malocclusion eliminated spontanoeusly in 12 of the patients while the other 13 remained the same. At the end of the 2 years lateral cephalometric films were taken again. The results obtained from the group of spontaneous open bite elimination showed decrease of vertical development and forward and upward rotation of the mandible. Since there was no orthodontic treatment, this change was attributed to development. In the other group, posterior rotation of mandible and vertical development was continuing. The periodic control of the open bite cases in prepubertal period, could eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment using the effect of developmental procedures and by the help of nature.