The Factors Affecting Long-Term Stability in Anterior Open-Bite Correction - A Systematic Review

The online attention analysis on orthognathic surgery research

OBJECTIVES

Altmetrics is one of the fields of bibliometrics that seeks to assess the impact and interest of a given subject through Internet users. The aim of this study is to make an altmetric analysis of the orthognathic surgery literature.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using Dimensions app up to December 2023. A list of the 100 most mentioned articles on the topic was compiled. A Google Trends search was performed with same strategy to visualize important data regarding internet search. Charts and tables were created using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software to allow bibliometric visualization.

RESULTS

There was a very poor correlation between the number of mentions and the number of citations (r = 0.0202). Most articles discussed on technical innovations associated to orthognathic surgery, majority related to virtual planning (n = 26). Other topics considered interesting to internet readers were complications (n = 18), surgical technique (n = 14), and psychological aspects/quality of life (n = 13).

CONCLUSION

Online interest in orthognathic surgery closely aligns with the level of academic interest but is also influenced by factors such as location and economic status. The internet is a powerful tool for disseminating scientific research to a broad audience, making it more accessible and engaging than traditional academic channels.

Long-term effectiveness of non-surgical open-bite treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The etiology of open bite is complex, involving various genetic or environmental factors. Several treatment alternatives have been suggested for the correction of open bite, yet their long-term effectiveness remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term effectiveness of open-bite treatment in treated with non-surgical approaches versus untreated patients, through lateral cephalometric radiographs.

SEARCH METHODS

Unrestricted search of 16 electronic databases and manual searches up to November 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized or non-randomized controlled trials reporting on the long-term effects of open-bite treatment through angular lateral cephalometric variables.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Only angular variables on lateral cephalometric radiographs were considered as primary outcomes. For each outcome, the mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model to consider existing heterogeneity. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (R.o.B. 2.0) and the risk-of-bias tool for non-randomized studies for interventions (ROBINS-I) were utilized for the randomized and non-randomized trials, respectively.

RESULTS

From the initially identified 26,527 hits, only 6 studies (1 randomized and 5 retrospective controlled trials) were finally included in this systematic review reporting on 244 open-bite individuals (134 patients and 110 untreated controls), while five of them were included in the meta-analyses, assessing either the interval ranging from treatment start to post-retention (T3-T1) or from end of treatment to post-retention period (T3-T2). Regarding the vertical plane, for the T3-T2 interval, no significant differences were found for the assessed skeletal measurements, indicating a relative stability of the treatment results. Similarly, with regard to the T3-T1 interval, no significant differences could be identified for the examined skeletal variables, implying that the produced effects are rather minimal and that the correction of the open bite was performed mainly through dentoalveolar rather than skeletal changes. Further, no significant changes could be identified regarding the inclination of the upper and lower incisors. Only the nasolabial angle was significantly reduced in the treated patients in the long term.

CONCLUSIONS

According to existing evidence, the influence of non-surgical treatment of open bite on the skeletal tissues and the inclination of the incisors is rather minimal in the long term, while only the nasolabial angle was significantly reduced.

Influence of rapid maxillary expansion in the stability of anterior open bite treatment

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the stability of anterior open bite (AOB) in patients treated with and without rapid maxillary expansion (RME) before fixed palatal crib (PC) therapy in the mixed dentition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Expansion/palatal crib group (EPC) was comprised of 25 patients (10 male, 15 female, mean initial age of 7.8 years) with AOB treated with RME before PC therapy. Palatal crib group (PC) included 25 patients with AOB (10 male, 15 female, mean initial age of 8.0 years) treated only with PC therapy. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed at pre-treatment (T0), after PC therapy (T1), and 3 years after PC removal (T2) in both groups. AOB relapse was considered when a negative overbite was observed at T2. Intergroup comparisons of interphase changes were performed using t and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Treatment and post-treatment alterations showed similar changes in both groups for all cephalometric variables. Overall changes from T0 to T2 were similar between the groups except for the maxillary incisors that tipped lingually in PC group (1.PP =  - 3.37°) and labially in EPC group (1.PP = 1.76°). The frequency of AOB relapse was 8% and 4% in the EPC and PC groups, respectively. Treatment time in the EPC group (9.7 months) was shorter (p = 0.024) when compared to the PC group (11.0 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In the mixed dentition, stability of AOB treated with RME before fixed PC therapy was similar to PC therapy alone. However, treatment time with fixed PC was slightly shorter in the group treated with RME.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study aims to understand if RME performed previously to fixed palatal crib contributes to the index of stability of AOB treatment in the mixed dentition.

The rationale for orthodontic retention: piecing together the jigsaw

Retaining teeth in their corrected positions following orthodontic treatment is one of the most challenging aspects of orthodontic practice. Despite much research, the rationale for retention is not entirely clear. Teeth tend to revert to their pre-treatment positions due to periodontal and gingival, soft tissue, occlusal and growth factors. Changes may also follow normal dentofacial ageing and are unpredictable with great variability. In this overview, each of these factors are discussed with their implications for retention, along with adjunctive procedures to minimise relapse. The state of current knowledge, methods used to assess relapse, factors regarded as predictive of or associated with stability as well as overcorrection are outlined. Potential areas requiring further investigation are suggested. The way in which the clinician may manage current retention practice, with a need for individualised retention plans and selective retainer wear, is also considered.

Vertical stability of different orthognathic treatments for correcting skeletal anterior open bite: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several orthognathic procedures have been applied to correct skeletal anterior open bites (SAOB). Which method is most stable has been debated and no consensus has been reached and there is no conclusive evidence for clinicians to use.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse whether maxillary, mandibular, or bimaxillary surgery provides a better stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search was conducted up to December 2020 using PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar. We made direct comparisons among the controlled trials and also made indirect comparisons via subgroup analysis on the aspects of occlusional, skeletal, and dento-alveolar stability to assess the overall stability of each method.

RESULTS

Finally 16 cohort studies were identified. At the occlusional level, pooled change in overbite was 0.21 mm in maxillary surgery, 0.37 mm in bimaxillary surgery, and -0.32 mm in mandibular surgery. At the skeletal level, pooled sella-nasion-Point A angle (SNA) was -0.12 degrees in bimaxillary surgery, -0.37 degrees in maxillary surgery and -0.20 degrees in mandibular surgery. The sella-nasion to palatal plane angle (SNPP) relapsed to a statistically significant degree in all samples received single maxillary surgery. Relapse of the sella-nasion-Point B angle (SNB) was 0.47 degrees in mandibular setback, -1.8 degrees in mandibular advancement, and -0.48 degrees in maxillary surgery. The Sella-Nasion to mandibular plane angle (SNMP) relapsed more in procedures involving bilateral sagittal split osteotomy than in other procedures. As for dento-alveolar changes, intrusion of molars and extrusion of incisors took place in most patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Bimaxillary surgery produced the most beneficial post-operative increase in overbite, maxillary surgery led to a lesser but still positive overbite change, and mandibular surgery correlated with some extent of relapse. Skeletally, bimaxillary surgery was more stable than maxillary surgery at both SNA and SNPP; SNB was more stable in mandibular setback than advancement; and SNMP was unstable in both mandibular and bimaxillary surgeries versus maxillary surgery with comparable surgical changes. Dento-alveolar compensation helped maintain a positive overbite.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020198088.