The assessment and treatment of anterior open bite.

There is no single management strategy for dealing with open bites, which vary greatly in presentation and severity. The general dental practitioner is recommended to assess treatment need on whether the open bite is a problem to the patient: if it is not, then no remedial treatment may be required. To aid the practitioner in the often difficult decision-making process, in this paper the possible causes of open bite malocclusion are reviewed, together with the methods currently available for treatment of this condition and the uncertainties inherent in the prognosis. The need for treatment is also discussed, to assist the general dental practitioner in deciding as to whether referral is necessary.