Force magnitude as a variable in maxillary buccal segment intrusion in adult patients with skeletal open bite.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of two different force magnitudes on maxillary posterior segment intrusion using mini-screws. The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference between the two force magnitudes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult patients with skeletal open bite and a dental open bite ranging from 3 to 8 mm were recruited for this trial. The comparator group had 200 g of intrusive force applied for posterior segment intrusion, whereas 400 g of force was applied in the intervention group. Primary outcomes were the amount of posterior teeth intrusion and anterior open bite closure.

RESULTS

Twenty-two subjects were randomized to include 11 participants in each group. One participant dropped out in each group, leaving us with 10 subjects to be analyzed per group. There was statistically significant posterior teeth intrusion of 2.42 ± 2.06 and 2.26 ± 1.87 mm for the comparator and intervention groups, respectively, with no difference between them. Statistically significant open bite closure was achieved in both groups, measuring 2.24 ± 1.18 and 3.15 ± 1.06 mm in the comparator and intervention groups, respectively, with no difference between them.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the 200 g and 400 g intrusive forces yielded similar outcomes in terms of posterior teeth intrusion and anterior open bite closure.