Dental appliances with inadequate occlusal coverage: a case report

Key Points

• Illustrates how iatrogenic occlusal interferences and/or dental malocclusions may be inadvertently induced through the use of long–term dental appliances that do not cover all of the teeth.

• The literature on the relevance of preventing the development of dental over-eruptions in such circumstances is discussed.

• Describes remedial treatment through the intrusion of over-erupted molars with the use of a removable orthodontic appliance.

Abstract

A case is presented which illustrates the occlusal problems that can develop when a dental appliance such as a temporomandibular splint with incomplete occlusal cover is worn for a reasonable length of time. As in this case, the selective over-eruption of posterior teeth not incorporated in the appliance can lead to the development of an anterior open bite and an increased overjet. A simple orthodontic method to correct the iatrogenic malocclusion through the re-intrusion of the over-erupted teeth is shown and the importance of providing long-term dental appliances with full occlusal contact is discussed.

Introduction

Several recent studies have shown that in comparison to Hawley orthodontic retainers, thermoplastic vacuum formed retainers are more cost-effective, preferred by the majority of patients¹ and in selected cases are more effective.²

Although Sheridan originally described the design of one such retainer as encompassing only the lower anterior teeth for nocturnal retention, when these are worn full time just over 2% of cases develop mild anterior open bites as a consequence.³ Complete arch coverage for full time wear has therefore more latterly became the norm, classically in conjunction with occlusal equilibration of the splints for open bite prophylaxis.⁴

Case report

A 25-year-old female solicitor who had received previous orthodontic treatment that had included the extraction of the upper first permanent premolars together with fixed appliance therapy in both arches had been wearing a lower soft bite raising appliance (BRA) nocturnally for ten years that her general dental practitioner had supplied, primarily as a means of managing her temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and secondarily as a long term orthodontic retainer. However, the lower second permanent molars had never been completely incorporated within the BRA splint (Fig. 1).

Figure 1

Incomplete BRA coverage of the lower second molar which has over-erupted on its distal aspect and tipped mesially

As a result, the distal aspects of these teeth had over-erupted and through the consequential downwards and backwards rotation of the mandible she had developed both an open bite and an increased overjet (Fig. 2). Yet evidence that she had previously had an anterior occlusion could be seen by the presence of occlusal wear facets on her upper incisors and canines.

Figure 2

Occlusal contact between the upper third and over-erupted lower second molar teeth, resulting in a progressive open bite and increased overjet

In this regard she had been referred for treatment to improve her TMJ dysfunction through the correction of her open bite. She was therefore supplied with an upper removable appliance with bilateral posterior bite blocks that were positioned over the upper third molars. These made selective, solitary contact with the distal cusps of the lower second molars whenever she occluded her teeth. Elsewhere, occlusal stops were placed on the remaining upper premolar and molar teeth in order to prevent them from over-erupting during the process of closing the bite (Fig. 3). After six months of maximum part-time wear her lower second molars had been sufficiently intruded to regain her original occlusion (Fig. 4). Although this resulted in an improvement of her TMJ symptoms, some dysfunction still remained as a consequence of the osteoarthritic changes that were evident on her pre-treatment MRI scan.

Figure 3

Occlusal view of the upper removable molar intrusion appliance

Figure 4

Recovery of original occlusion

Discussion

The features and treatment of this case both directly and indirectly lend support to a number of previous findings. Namely, if second molars are not routinely included in all stages of orthodontic treatment, including retention, this can result in a higher incidence of non-ideally located posterior contacts.⁵

Similarly, orthodontic extraction of upper second molar teeth that leave the lower second molars partially unopposed can also allow the distal aspects of these teeth to subsequently over-erupt and tip.⁶

Indeed, while the potential for completely unopposed adult teeth to over-erupt by up to 5.4 mm with an incidence of 82–92% in such circumstances is well documented,^7,8,9 similar findings have also been demonstrated for teeth that are partially unopposed, albeit with comparatively greater degrees of tipping.¹⁰

As a consequence, just over a half of all types of over-erupted teeth are involved with either retruded contact position and/or excursive interferences.^9,11

Nevertheless, this propensity for adult teeth to erupt when taken out of occlusion is used to good advantage when worn anterior teeth that require space recreation before restoration are initially managed with a Dahl appliance.¹²

Conclusion

This case illustrates why full occlusal coverage of all of the teeth in a dental arch is crucial whenever an appliance is supplied for either prolonged sleep apnoea,¹³ TMJ¹⁴ or orthodontic treatment purposes.

Equally, in those circumstances where this has not occurred, the case also shows how localised over-eruptions and associated open bites can be corrected through the use of posterior bite blocks to selectively intrude any over-erupted teeth.¹⁵