Management of skeletal open bite with repelling magnets: A review

Abstract

The treatment of skeletal open bite poses significant challenges for orthodontists, traditionally managed through either anterior tooth extrusion or posterior teeth intrusion. This review evaluates the use of repelling magnets embedded in occlusal bite blocks as a non-surgical alternative for managing skeletal open bite. The case report of a 13-year-old female patient illustrates the effectiveness of this approach. Treatment involved the use of neodymium-iron-boron magnets within acrylic bite blocks to intrude posterior teeth, leading to autorotation of the mandible and closure of the anterior open bite. Over 4.5 months, the patient achieved 2.8 mm of bite closure and 1.6 mm intrusion of the posterior teeth, significantly improving occlusal and skeletal alignment. The results demonstrate that magnetic bite blocks can offer a rapid and effective non-invasive solution for skeletal open bite in growing patients. Long-term stability and potential for relapse remain areas for further research.