“Clinical Comparative Analysis of TAD-Augmented and Conventional Orthodontic Treatments in Skeletal Open Bite Correction: An Original Research Study”

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to compare the clinical analysis evaluating the effectiveness of orthodontic correction by Conventional Mechanotherapies and TAD-Augmented in patients diagnosed with skeletal open bite.

Materials and Methods: This study assessed 50 patients with anterior open bite (AOB) seeking corrective treatment, narrowing down to 40 who met specific skeletal criteria based on cephalometric analysis. Key criteria included an increased mandibular plane angle, enlarged lower anterior facial height, and a dolicofacial growth pattern. AOB was defined by minimal vertical overlap of front teeth, resulting in a negative overbite of less than 1 mm. Exclusions involved cases related to tooth under-eruption without skeletal issues, decreased incisal display, chronic medical conditions, and significant dental crowding. Informed consent was obtained, and the final cohort received. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 received open bite correction with conventional mechanotherapies, while Group 2 underwent TAD-Augmented open bite correction. Follow-ups at one, two, and three years post-treatment utilised cone beam computed tomography to evaluate outcomes, including overbite correction, occlusion, aesthetics, recovery profiles, treatment duration, and patient satisfaction.

Statistical Analysis and Results: This study analysed a cohort of 40 patients aged 7 to 30 years, consisting of 24 males and 16 females, divided into two groups based on treatment. Group 1 included 20 patients who received only orthodontic treatment aimed at dental alignment. Group 2 comprised 20 patients who underwent TAD-Assisted dental and skeletal issues related to anterior open bite. Outcomes for Group 1 were monitored over one year, with 7 patients showing no significant changes. In Group 2, 2 patients exhibited no improvement during the same period. A two-year follow-up for Group 1 indicated that 6 patients remained unchanged, while in Group 2, only 1 patient showed no changes. After three years, 5 patients in Group 1 had not improved, but notably, no patients in Group 2 showed any changes. A comparative analysis across groups using one-way ANOVA, presented in Table 8 provides insights into the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment alone versus the combination of surgery and orthodontics for addressing anterior open bite issues.

Conclusion: This study found that TAD assisted approach yields better results for severe cases, enhancing occlusion and facial aesthetics, while conventional orthodontics is more effective for mild to moderate open bites. The integrated method provides faster treatment and improved long-term stability by repositioning the jawbones, addressing skeletal discrepancies, whereas orthodontic treatment by conventional mechanotherapies mainly involves dental movement, which may be less stable with significant skeletal malalignment.