Effects of palatal crib and bonded spurs in early treatment of anterior open bite: A prospective randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overbite correction of fixed palatal crib (FPC) and bonded lingual spur (BLS) in the early treatment of anterior open bite (AOB) in mixed dentition (primary outcome) as well as its influence on dental and skeletal cephalometric measurements (secondary outcome). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The selected patients had AOB and a mean age of 8.23 years. They were divided into the following three groups by casting lots: control (n  =  13), palatal crib (n  =  13), and spur (n  =  13). Data from the lateral teleradiography was obtained at the beginning, at 6 months, and after 1 year. The cephalometric analysis was performed by Cef-X program, recording the values of SNA, SNB, ANB, SnG oGn, 1.PP, IMPA, nasolabial angle, overbite, and overjet. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were obtained via one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The degree of AOB was similar at baseline (P > .05). At 6 months and then after 1 year all groups showed improvement in the overbite. However, only the crib and spur groups showed positive overbite. No cephalometric measurements changed significantly over the period analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the FPC and BLS are simple and effective for the treatment of anterior open bite, with the advantage given to the FPC.