Severe anterior open bite in a Class II hyperdivergent adult patient: A case report of clear aligner orthodontic camouflage treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the successful treatment of an anterior open bite in an adult Class II hyperdivergent patient. A 31-year-old female presented for orthodontic treatment, seeking an aesthetic solution to correct her anterior open bite and lower crowding to enhance her smile. As an initial step, all third molars were extracted to facilitate the forward rotation of the mandible and the initial closure of the open bite. Subsequently, clear aligner therapy (F22 aligners, Due Carrare, Italy) was initiated, with aligners changed every 15 days in combination with Class II elastics. Bite closure was achieved through programmed interproximal reduction (IPR) and the retroclination of anterior teeth. At the end of treatment, the open bite was successfully closed, a Class I relationship was obtained on the right side, and an edge-to-edge Class II relationship persisted on the left due to underlying skeletal asymmetry. Additionally, incisor exposure during smiling was improved. This clinical case demonstrates that clear aligners can effectively compensate a functional anterior open bite by promoting mandibular forward rotation and incisor retroclination.