Dentoalveolar changes observed after the use of customized bonded Shark-Tooth-Like Spurs (JAWs) in adult patients with anterior open bite

INTRODUCTION: Tongue spurs have been successfully used for the early treatment of anterior open bite (AOB). However, according to our knowledge, their effectiveness in the treatment of adults has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess the dentoalveolar changes observed after the use of customized bonded shark-tooth-like spurs (JAWs) in adults with AOB. METHODS: Twenty-three adults (22.1±4.4 years) with AOB were selected for the treatment. JAWs made from compomer cement were bonded on the lingual surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth to correct tongue-thrusting. Lateral cephalograms and 3D digital models were obtained to evaluate dentoalveolar features observed before and at three time points after JAWs use. Paired t-test and repeated measure ANOVA tests were used to compare dentoalveolar changes, and Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the association of dentoalveolar changes and overbite changes. The significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant 3D dentoalveolar changes were observed after the three months of treatment with JAWs. Improvement of overbite (1.0±0.6 mm) and overjet (0.2±0.3 mm), combined with a retroclination of maxillary (3.0±3.0°) and mandibular (2.2±2.7°) incisors, were observed (p<0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease in anterior dental arch width in both maxillary and mandibular arches (0.4±0.4 mm; 0.3±0.3 mm, respectively), and an increase of posterior maxillary (0.1±0.2 mm) dental arch width were observed (p<0.05). These significant changes occurred in the first month after the JAWs use. A significant correlation was found between the initial arch length discrepancy and the amount of overbite correction (r=0.456, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentoalveolar changes occurred after the first-month therapy with JAWs. The retroclination of the anterior teeth combined with the expansion of posterior teeth suggests a posterosuperior change in the tongue position. These changes were beneficial for the treatment of AOB in adult patients.