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Severe lateral open bite caused by multiple ankylosed teeth: a case report
Mami Atobe1, Toshiko Sekiya, Kazutoshi Tamura
1Department of Orthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumiku, Yokohama, Japan. atobe-m@tsurumi-u.ac.jp
Summary
Multiple ankylosed teeth can cause severe open bite and impair chewing. A removable prosthetic appliance effectively restored function in a patient with this rare dental anomaly.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- Ankylosed teeth, where the tooth root fuses with alveolar bone, are uncommon.
- This fusion can lead to infraocclusion and malocclusion, impacting dental arch development and function.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old female presented with severe lateral open bite and inadequate masticatory function on the right side.
- Multiple ankylosed teeth in the maxillary arch, including impacted molars, were identified.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans showed obliteration of the periodontal ligament space.
Findings:
- The patient's condition resulted in infraocclusion of multiple maxillary right teeth.
- A removable prosthetic appliance was successfully implemented to restore masticatory function.
- This conservative approach avoided surgical interventions like distraction osteogenesis or tooth subluxation.
Implications:
- Removable prosthetics offer a viable alternative for managing severe open bites caused by multiple ankylosed teeth.
- This case highlights the importance of considering non-surgical options for complex dental anomalies.
- Effective prosthetic rehabilitation can significantly improve patient quality of life and oral function.
