Orthodontic management of vertical deviations has been a constant challenge to the profession and remains a controversial issue among clinicians. Skeletal open bites are probably among the most provocative malocclusions for those in daily practice.
Some support the belief that growth and size of the craniofacial complex are genetically predetermined and cannot be changed.
Others support the contention that the environment plays a definitive role in the direction of growth which can be modified. How much can orthodontics really do?
Although some clinicians believe that these types of malocclusion are somewhat “untreatable” and that therapy to resolve them should address surgical intervention there is enough scientific and clinical evidence to support a solid treatment protocol.

CURRICULUM VITAE: Eustáquio Araújo

Masters and Certificate in Orthodontics, University of Pittsburgh, Pa, USA
President of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais), PUCMinas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Professor of Orthodontics, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Adjunct Professor, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
Member of the Angle Society of Orthodontics, Midwest Component
Member of the International College of Dentists, Brazil
Member of the American College of Dentists
Diplomate of the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics


The challenge of the anterior open-bite treatment and aspects on muscular and dento-skeletal adaptation after bite-raising

The anterior open bite is an extremely heterogenic malocclusion, caused by etiologic factors with different origin. Therefore, the various orthodontic therapeutic approaches applied in the treatment of the anterior open bite do not always give optimal results, and the long-term stability of the successfully treated cases is not always a guarantee.
One of the treatment approaches has as a goal to exert vertical pressure on the posterior teeth by opening the bite and stretching the soft tissues. However, muscular and dento-skeletal adaptation may take place to neutralize our intervention. The response of this adaptation seems to be related to the functional condition of the masticatory muscles. Thus, when planning the treatment of an anterior open bite, the condition of the orofacial musculature should be taken into consideration, too.

CURRICULUM VITAE: Stravos Kiliaridis

Dr. Kiliaridis has been Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Geneva since 1999. He graduated (DDS) from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and received his Odont Dr/PhD from Göteborg University, Sweden, where he got also his training in Orthodontics. He worked there in full or part time base for twenty years, being involved in clinical activities, education and research, and served as Director of the Graduate Programme in Orthodontics for three years.
Dr Kiliaridis has authored or co-authored over 100 research papers and several book-chapters, and he is reviewer for various international scientific journals. He received several distinctions and international awards, and the scientific work performed by his students under his supervision has been internationally awarded several times.