Nonsurgical correction of a Class III skeletal anterior open-bite malocclusion using multiple microscrew implants and digital profile prediction

A 20-year-old woman had a severe anterior skeletal open bite and a moderate skeletal Class III relationship with a prognathic mandible and a straight profile. She declined surgery. However, molar intrusion in a Class III patient with a straight profile can cause forward mandibular rotation and deterioration of the profile to a concave pattern. We used digital facial profile prediction software to determine whether the orthodontic compensation treatment would be acceptable to the patient. The final treatment plan consisted of extraction of the third molars, maxillary molar intrusion, and total distalization of the mandibular dentition with multiple microscrew implants. The patient cooperated with the use of Class III interarch elastics. The active treatment period was 20 months. Proper overbite and overjet, good occlusion, and an acceptable facial profile were achieved.