Introduction: Skeletal open bite is a condition characteristic of and resulting from backward-rotating mandibular growth patterns. The molars over erupt, causing further rotation of the mandible away from the maxilla and swinging of the chin downward and backwards. Many appliances for molar intrusion have been proposed in the literature including vertical holding appliances and miniscrew- supported intrusion appliances.
Aim: to compare the amount of maxillary molar intrusion and mandibular plane autorotation induced after using a modified vertical holding appliance(MVHA) versus a miniscrew-supported appliance in a group of children with skeletal open bite.
Materials and Methods: The CBCTs of 20 growing female patients with skeletal open bites were collected and analyzed. Half of the patients were treated with modified vertical holding appliance and the other half received a miniscrew-supported appliance (MSA) for maxillary molar intrusion.
Results: significant maxillary molar intrusion was achieved in the MVHA group (1.2mm) as well as in the MSA group (1.8mm). Areduction in the mandibular plane inclination was acheived in both groups.(MVHA 2.5 degrees - MSA 2.8 degrees)
Conclusion:Both groups were equally effeective in inducing skeletal open bite closure through comparable amounts of maxillary molar intrusion.