@article{FOMM119102,
author = {Yukari Nakatsukasa and Toyoaki Takagi and Eiji Tanaka},
title = {Maxillary skeletal expansion with miniscrew anchorage for adult anterior open bite and nasal obstruction: a case report},
journal = {Frontiers of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine},
volume = {8},
number = {0},
year = {2026},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: It is well known that maxillary skeletal expander (MSE) effectively corrects maxillary transverse discrepancies, improving nasal obstruction for mature patients. This article reports on a single case of an adult patient with an anterior open bite, a maxillary narrow dental arch and nasal obstruction, who was treated with MSE. Furthermore, the changes to the airway structure and volume and the respiratory permeability were evaluated to discuss the feasibility of using MSE to treat a case of skeletal open bite alongside nasal obstruction through hydrodynamic analysis.Case Description: A 35-year-8-month-old female patient had nasal obstruction, a tongue-thrusting habit, and an anterior open bite. She was diagnosed with an anterior open bite, a right lateral incisor crossbite and a left premolar crossbite. She also had a skeletal Class I jaw-base relationship and a high mandibular plane angle. Following the correction of the crossbites using the MSE and the extraction of the bilateral maxillary and mandibular first premolars, 0.018-inch slot standard multibracket appliances were applied to the maxillary and mandibular dentition. Two miniscrews were implanted in the buccal interradicular areas of the maxillary molar regions. The midpalatal suture was disarticulated using the MSE activated twice a day, resulting in a total expansion of 0.27 mm per day for 16 days and 3.0 mm was expanded at the first molars, effectively producing maxillary skeletal expansion while minimizing buccal tipping of the maxillary molars. The overall treatment time was 32 months and an adequate and functional occlusion was accomplished. Consequently, the anterior open bite was rectified through the miniscrews to intrude the maxillary molars by 1.5 mm and rotate the mandible counterclockwise by 1.8°, resulting in a substantial 116.0% increase in airway volume. Furthermore, minimal recurrence of the anterior open bite was observed during the 2-year retention period.Conclusions: MSE may be an effective treatment for anterior open bite associated with nasal obstruction in adults.},
issn = {2664-777X}, url = {https://fomm.amegroups.org/article/view/119102}
}