Short-term stability of anterior open bite treatment with clear aligners in adults

The aim of this study was to examine the stability of anterior open bite (AOB) treatment with clear aligners. This retrospective cohort study included 52 adult AOB patients (age > 18, 15 males and 37 females) who underwent non-extraction clear aligner treatment and were at least 1-year post-treatment. Eleven cephalometric measurements were evaluated at pre-treatment (T1), end of active-treatment (T2), and at least 1-year post-treatment (T3). Overbite change, the primary outcome variable, and other cephalometric changes during treatment and retention were calculated, and repeated measures ANOVA were performed. Stepwise multiple regression was used to make a prediction equation for open bite relapse. The mean retention period was 2.1 ± 1.1 years. The mean change in overbite during treatment was 3.3 ± 1.5 mm. 6% of patients presented relapse at least 1-year after treatment completion. The mean change of overbite (0.2 ± 0.5 mm) during the retention period was not statistically significant (P = 0.59). None of the eleven cephalometric measurements showed significant change during the retention period. The prediction model showed that only the coefficient for presence of a tongue posture issue at the initial examination was statistically significant. Anterior open bite was successfully corrected in all 52 patients using only clear aligners with no additional adjunctive aids such as microimplants. When retained with upper and lower fixed retainers and upper and lower vacuum-formed retainers, there was no significant change in cephalometric measurements during the short-term retention period. •Anterior open bite can be successfully treated with clear aligners in adult patients.•When retained with upper and lower bonded retainers and vacuum-formed retainers, 94% of patients presented positive overbite at least 1-year after treatment completion.•Treatment stability could not be predicted using cephalometric measurements at pre-treatment and the change of cephalometric variables during treatment.•Tongue posture or interincisal tongue position noted at initial exam can affect stability.