Mechanism of Multi-loop Edgewise Archwire technique in correcting anterior open bites of Class II malocclusion patients with temporomandibular disorders - cephalometric assessment

Background: An anterior open bite is considered challenging to treat because of its multifactorial etiology. Condylar resorption, which is one of the temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms, has been identied as an etiologic factor of anterior open bites. It is essential to nd an effective and ecient method to correct open bites while reducing the risk of exacerbating TMD during orthodontic treatment. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the multi-loop edgewise archwire (MEAW) technique in correcting anterior open bite in patients with TMD. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 20 patients with anterior open bites and TMD were included. 19 cephalometric measurements and 2 open bite indices were evaluated. A paired t-test was used to assess changes between pre- and post-treatments. Results: There were statistically signicant changes after the treatment using the MEAW technique. The cephalometric measurements, including vertical positions of the incisors and molars, changed signicantly. The maxillary and mandibular regional superimpositions for a subgroup of non-extraction patients showed slight intrusion of the upper molars (-0.6±1.0mm, p=0.04) and slight extrusion of the lower molars (1.0±1.1mm, p<0.01). Open bite correction was achieved predominantly through retraction and extrusion of the upper and lower incisors. Conclusions: The anterior open bite was successfully corrected by using the MEAW technique. However, the primary mechanism was the extrusion of the anterior teeth with a maintained vertical dimension. In the absence of apparent symptoms of joint discomfort, it is effective and relatively safe to use the MEAW technique to treat open bite patients with TMD.


Background
Whether patients with the temporomandibular joint disorder should receive orthodontic treatment has been a controversial topic in dentistry. At present, the role of orthodontic treatment in the etiology of TMD has not been con rmed [1,2]. Based on the previous studies, orthodontic treatment should not be initiated on a patient who presents with orofacial pain [1,2]. The signs and symptoms of TMD are unpredictable and can appear at various stages of orthodontic treatment. If a patient develops symptoms during orthodontic treatment, the rst consideration should be to stop active orthodontic treatment and make a diagnosis based on current symptoms. When the patient's pain disappears or subsides, orthodontic treatment can be continued as planned or be adjusted according to the patient's condition. Orthodontic treatment does not increase a patient's risk for TMD, nor does it worsen previous symptoms.In contrast, according to the literature, patients with Class II malocclusions and muscle-derived TMD appear to bene t functionally from orthodontic treatment [3]. However, patients with TMD also seem to be less adaptive to occlusal changes and are highly susceptible to occlusal instability [4,5].
The open bite malocclusion is considered di cult to treat because of its multifactorial etiology. Mandibular condylar resorption, which is one of the TMD symptoms, has been identi ed as an etiologic factor of anterior open bites [6]. It has been suggested that orthognathic surgery, such as maxillary impaction with autorotation of the mandible, can provide an ideal treatment outcome in a non-growing patient with a severe skeletal open bite [7].However, patients with preexisting signs and symptoms of TMD are likely to have a signi cant worsening of their TMJ dysfunction after surgery, particularly after mandibular advancement or counterclockwise rotation. This is especially true in patients with displaced articular discs; if the discs remain displaced after surgery, the condyle can compress the bilaminar tissue against the superior and posterior walls of the fossa. This compression can contribute to pain and in ammation and initiate condylar resorption [8]. Class II patients with high occlusal plane angles and articular disc displacement may have less satisfactory outcome than patients with normal-or low-angle mandibular retrognathism or prognathism [9].Because of this unpredictability, surgery might not be a viable option for a patient who has a severe skeletal open bite due to degenerative condylar resorption as there is a high likelihood of further condylar resorption. Therefore, the treatment of anterior openbite with Class II malocclusions associated with degenerative condylar resorption is considered a clinical challenge.
Among the various treatment modalities that have been proposed, the multi-loop edgewise archwire (MEAW) technique appears to be an effective and e cient method to correct anterior open bites. In 1987, Kim [10] introduced the MEAW technique and reported that clockwise rotation of the maxillary occlusal plane and counterclockwise rotation of the mandibular occlusal plane contribute to the closure of the open bite [11]. Fushima et al. [12]

Materials And Methods
The sample was collected from orthodontic patient archives between 2014 and 2018 at the Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, China Medical University. The primary inclusion criteria were patients who: 1) presented with an anterior open bite (overbite less than 0 mm); 2) presented with Class II molar relationship and ANB>3°; 3) were over the age of 15 and were treated with xed appliance therapy using the MEAW technique; Exclusion criteria included patients who had: 1) previous orthodontic treatment; 2) craniofacial anomalies; 3) orthognathic surgery. Twenty patients (4 males and 16 females) were included in the sample ( Table 1). The study was approved by the institutional review board of the School of Stomatology, China Medical University (k202002).

TMD evaluation and management
After a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic records for skeletal pattern, dentoalveolar condition, and facial esthetics, a detailed treatment plan was proposed. Clinical evaluation of the TMD symptoms and signs were recorded before, during, and after treatment. Four patients presented with a history of TMD, but no current symptoms. 16 patients presented with TMD related symptoms (such as de ection upon opening, the clicking of the joint, limited opening, etc.).. TMJ images (MRI or CBCT) were obtained for 16 symptomatic patients. Conservative treatments, including medication, physiotherapy, occlusal splints, and self-management strategies, were utilized to relieve the symptoms. 9 out of 20 patients received a stabilization splint for three to six months to resolve TMD symptoms prior to orthodontic treatment ( Table 2). All, except two, patients presented with no TMD symptoms before orthodontic treatment. The two patients with remaining symptoms initially presented with severe open bites and TMJ pain. The pain was alleviated signi cantly, but their TMD symptoms were not completely resolved. The TMD symptoms were monitored throughout orthodontic treatment, and the symptoms did not get worse.
Mild discomforts remained after orthodontic treatment. The TMD status at T1 and T2 was shown in Table 1.

Treatment modality
According to the treatment plan, the majority of patients needed extraction of permanent teeth, including the 3rd molars, to relieve anterior and/or posterior crowding (Table 1). All patients were treated with an 0.018"-slot standard edgewise appliance system. After leveling and aligning and space closing, 16X22SS MEAWs, comprised of 10 L-shaped loops between the teeth, were placed in each dental arch. After each loop was activated, the maxillary archwire had an accentuated Curve of Spee and the mandibular archwire had a reverse Curve of Spee ( Figure 1). Progressive tip back was incorporated into the archwire. With anterior vertical elastics, activated MEAW uprighted molars distally and intruded the molars while controlling incisor extrusion. The posterior component of force may reduce TMJ loading, create proper joint space, and establish stable occlusion. Anterior vertical elastics, or short Class II and Class III elastics, allowed the tip back activations to be expressed. Patients were instructed to wear anterior vertical elastics (3/16", 6oz) and-or short Class II or Class III elastics full time. The above treatment was continued until a positive overbite was obtained, which usually took about 6-12 months.

Lateral Cephalometric Analysis and Superimposition
Lateral cephalometric landmarks were digitized independently by three calibrated judges in Dolphin imaging (version 11.8; Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, Calif). The reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha, a universal ICC measure. Inter-rater reliability was excellent with an ICC greater than 0.9 for all measurements ranging from 0.932-0.997.
Twenty-one cephalometric measurements were generated by computer operations in Dolphin imaging.
The average values of the three judges' estimates were used. Overbite Depth Indicator (ODI) determines the vertical maxillo-mandibular relationship. ODI is the arithmetic sum of A-B plane to the mandibular plane angle and Palatal plane to Frankfort horizontal plane angle. The Antero-posterior Dysplasia Indicator (APDI) is the arithmetic sum of three angles: Frankfort Horizontal plane to Facial plane, A-B plane to Facial plane, and A-B plane to Frankfort plane. APDI determines the horizontal maxillomandibular relationship as Class I, II, and III (Figure 2-A).
Two orthodontic faculty members performed superimpositions. Anterior cranial base superimpositions using the anterior wall of sella turcica, the cribriform plate, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone were performed. To evaluate sagittal and vertical changes of the molars and incisors in non-extraction group, each patient's pre-treatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2) cephalometric tracings were superimposed using Bjork's natural maxillary and mandibular reference structures. An x/y coordinate system was established. The palatal plane (ANS-PNS) and mandibular plane (Go-Me) at T1 became the x-axis, while the y-axis was the line perpendicular to the x-axis. In terms of tooth position, a positive sign denoted superior and mesial movement, and a negative sign denoted inferior and distal movement. For instance, positive vertical movement indicates intrusion of the upper molar (U6) and extrusion of the lower molar (L6) (Figure 2-B, C).

Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics were generated to report the mean, standard deviation, and range of the demographic information. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the changes between T1 and T2. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically signi cant. Statistical values were computed using SPSS for Windows version 21 and the language R (http://www.r-project.org/).

Results
The patients' mean age at T1 was 17.90±4.12 years and at T2 was 20.45±3.73 years. The average treatment time was 2.63 years, ranging from 17 to 43 months. Table 2 shows the cephalometric measurements at T1, T2, and T2-T1 for 20 cases. The patients presented with Class II malocclusions with retrognathic mandibles. The means of the ANB and mandibular plane angle (MP-SN) were 6.14±2.1° and 42.8±8.39°, respectively, which indicates a Class II hyperdivergent facial type. The mean overbite was -2.05±2.07mm at T1. Table 1   Y N N N † Mild discomfort (Before the orthodontic treatment, the joint pain of Cases 7 and 11 has been alleviated obviously, but the patients had remaining symptoms of discomfort and fatigue when chewing hard food and occasional clicking.)  In order to accurately measure the sagittal and vertical movements of the incisors and molars using the MEAW technique, we performed cephalometric regional superimpositions of the maxilla and mandible to evaluate tooth movement between T1 and T2 for a subgroup of 14 non-growing patients treated with a non-extraction approach, except for 3rd molar extractions (Table 3 and

Discussion
The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment changes by the MEAW technique in treating anterior open bite patients with TMD. All patients, except two patients, did not present TMD symptoms throughout treatment. The two patients presented mild discomfort and did not get worse. Therefore, it appears that the MEAW technique might be a viable treatment option for patients who are not able to choose surgery as a treatment of choice. The MEAW treatment approach might help unload the joint and reduce the risk of relapse of TMD symptoms during orthodontic treatment.
The temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is de ned as a set of functional and pathological conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and tissue, and their adjacent components [13].The relationship between occlusal factors, orthodontics, and TMD remains controversial. Based on the previous literature, orthodontics in the normal population "neither produces nor cures" the TMD [14].In clinical practice, the most common chief complaints are pain, articular sounds (clicking and creaking), limited mouth opening, and disrupted jaw movements [15]. Among the symptoms, pain is the most urgent problem that plagues patients' daily lives and is often the main reason they seek help [16]. Michelott [17] suggests that orthodontic treatment should be avoided until the pain is relieved.
It is necessary to conduct X-ray screening for patients with TMD symptoms before initiating orthodontic treatment. This will help the orthodontist determine whether the patient is in the quiescent or progressive stage, so as to avoid problems in the subsequent orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment, to improve the masticatory function and aesthetic, can be considered once the TMD is stabilized [18,19].At present, most experts recommend conservative treatment for mild to moderate TMD patients to stabilize the TMD. Conservative treatment usually results in satisfactory clinical outcomes. Most importantly, patients are more receptive of a more conservative approach [20,21,22]. Occlusal stabilization splints have always been the main treatment method for jaw dysfunction and the most common treatment method in oral instruments [23]. Occlusal splints aim to "unload" the condyles to relieve discomfort and muscular pain. Splints may help prevent the progression of TMD and can be bene cial for reducing pain [24].It is generally recognized that splints are useful in the conservative treatment of TMD [25,26]. Once the TMD symptoms are alleviated through splint therapy, the possibility of recurrence or exacerbation of TMD symptoms by orthodontic treatment is very low. Orthodontic treatment combined with the use of a splint is effective for reducing pain and restricting mandibular movement, but not for joint sound [27,28].
Anterior open bite is considered one of the most challenging dentofacial deformities to treat [29].
Extrusion of the upper and lower incisors is a common way of correcting the anterior open bite, which can be achieved through vertical elastics, extrusion arches [30], or a MEAW appliance [7].
The present study shows that the MEAW technique can be a viable and effective option in correcting severe skeletal open bites in patients with TMD without utilizing TADs or other auxiliaries. However, the biggest drawback of this technique is that it relies on the patient's cooperation. With poor cooperation, there are serious consequences. Moreover, it is not easy to achieve counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane because of the extrusion of the anterior teeth rather than the intrusion of the molars. At the same time, extruded anterior teeth are unstable and prone to relapse [31].
It has been well documented that molar intrusion is necessary for the mandible to be rotated counterclockwise, as well as to reduce the lower face height and facial convexity. In this study, from the maxillary superimposition of the non-extraction group (Table 3, Figure 3), the upper molars were intruded by 0.81mm and distalized about 0.9mm, which is challenging to achieve without using TADs. In nonextraction group, distal tipping more than 10° provided space for resolving the crowding and retracting the upper incisors as well (Table 3, Figure 3). Unfortunately, the uprighting of the mandibular molars caused extrusion of the mesial cusp by about 1.0 mm (Table 3, Figure 3). It seems that the MEAWs are not su ciently effective in controlling the mandibular molars; an additional modality to control lower molars is required.
In recent years, it has become popular to use temporary anchorage devices (TAD) to correct anterior open bites [32]. Several case reports have illustrated the successful use of TADs in non-growing skeletal open bite cases that obtain "orthognathic surgery-like" results. TADs have elevated open bite correction in nongrowing patients and have created higher levels of success [33].
Current evidence suggests that using the MEAW appliance in conjunction with TADs allows the lower molars to be intruded effectively with mild extrusion of the incisors. They also documented counterclockwise rotation of the mandible, which closed the anterior open bite and reduced the lower facial height to improve facial esthetics [31]. In further studies, we need to compare the long-term stability of open bite correction using the MEAW technique only and using the MEAW technique in tandem with TADs or other appliances.
Due to the nature of retrospective studies, the present study has limitations. Severe skeletal open bite with TMD is relatively rare condition, so the sample size was not ideal. TMD evaluation was based on clinical examination and not all patients had MRI or 3D imaging. In addition, the sample was derived from a single institution. Therefore, the generalization of the results of this study should be limited and carefully interpreted.

Conclusions
Using the MEAW technique, the maxillary molars can be intruded and distallized relatively well, but the mandibular molars need to be better controlled since there was slight extrusion from the uprighting of the molars. We can anticipate more satisfying treatment outcome by combining methods to achieve counterclockwise rotation of the mandible and improve facial aesthetics. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1. The MEAW technique can be an effective method in correcting anterior open bites in TMD patients.
2. The open bite was corrected mainly by retraction and extrusion of the anterior teeth. The vertical dimension was well-maintained for the upper molars, but the mandibular molars were extruded.
3. During treatment, the patients who had TMD did not show evident recurrence or worsening of their TMD conditions, indicating that orthodontic treatment can be performed when orthodontic treatment is required.