Long term stability of a high-angle skeletal Class II open bite treated with high-pull headgear and modified...

This case report describes the treatment of an adolescent patient with an Angle Class II malocclusion, severe open bite and overjet, proclined incisors, skeletal Class II anteroposterior dysplasia, high mandibular plane angle and convex profile. The importance of stopping of a prolonged thumb sucking habit, which was a major causative factor of the open bite is discussed. A combination of a high-pull headgear and a modified transpalatal arch with a loop embedded with resin, at a distance from the palate, were used along with an Edgewise appliance. Treatment timing, favourable growth and good patient response led to an optimal outcome with excellent stability of the treatment results five years and five months post-treatment.