Masticatory Muscle Exercise as an Adjunctive Treatment for Open Bite Malocclusions

The article distinguishes between dental open bite and skeletal open bite malocclusions and reviews the etiologic factor and possible treatment options. The addition of light masticatory muscle exercise on two mixed detention cases is illustrated. The patients were treated with a bonded rapid palatal expander followed by a transpalatal arch and a mandibular lingual arch, high-pull headgear therapy and light masticatory muscle exercises for 1 minute five times per day. A third case illustrates an increase in the clenching exercises of at least 5 minutes per hour for 6 hours. This patient had changed her mind on orthognathic surgical treatment plans. Treatment results suggest that clenching exercises helped to control the vertical dimension and assist in closure of open bite malocclusions. More clinical research is required to ensure the optimum level of masticatory muscle exercise for the treatment of open bite malocclusions.