Anterior Open Bite Treatment Using Bondable Lingual Tongue Spurs

OBJECTIVES: Anterior open bite is a frequent observation among teenagers. Treating this condition is challenging for orthodontists and patients. The effects of bondable lingual tongue spurs (BLTS) on parameters of anterior malocclusion were examined in subjects who had either an anterior tongue posture problem and/or a digit-sucking habit. METHODS: 14 subjects with anterior open bite consented to participate in this IRB approved clinical study. BLTS were placed on all maxillary and mandibular incisors. Standard orthodontic records were taken at baseline (T0) and 6 months (T6) later. Lost BLTSs were replaced, but no further orthodontic procedures were performed during the study period. Overbite and overjet of all anterior teeth were compared on pre- and post-treatment study models and in the cephalometric analyses between T0 and T6. To evaluate treatment acceptance, subjects were asked to complete a 5-question survey. Data were analyzed using Student's paired t-test or the paired-sample sign test as appropriate. RESULTS: 12 subjects (mean age 13.9 years) completed the study. Reductions in mean overbite were observed throughout the anterior arch segment (range: 0.58 to 1.71 mm; P<0.05) and confirmed by the cephalometric analysis (1.38 ± 0.89 mm; P<0.001). Measures of overjet, however, were only marginally affected by the treatment. 11 of the 12 subjects indicated they became accustomed to the spurs in 2 weeks or less. 19 of the 112 original BLTS debonded and were replaced. CONCLUSION: BLTS treatment improved selected outcome measures in subjects with anterior malocclusions. These subjects had tongue posture problems and/or digit-sucking habits, and the observed treatment effect is likely the result of keeping pressure away from the anterior teeth. The spurs were placed in one appointment and were generally well tolerated by the subjects. BLTS may constitute an effective and esthetically more pleasing alternative to banded spurs, but comparative effectiveness studies are lacking.