If you have an orthodontics patient with a posterior openbite tendency, you may need to take a more specific approach to retention when finishing cases. As such, we’ve looked at some of the best types of retainers for these individuals to help their orthodontic treatment plans go more successfully.

Causes of Posterior Openbite Tendency During Retention

There are numerous potential causes for posterior openbite tendency. It’s worth noting that this usually won’t happen with bonded retainers and Hawleys. However, it can potentially happen during aligner treatment, and having patients wearing retainers full-time for more than three months can potentially predispose this.

This is especially likely if the patient had issues with a posterior openbite during the treatment itself. As such, if your patient experienced this, you likely won’t want to use two Essex retainers when finishing their case.

With Essex retainers, since they are just plastic and don’t have an articulator and they aren’t equilibrated, the back teeth touch first, which leads to jaw rotation – thus causing the additional pressure that can lead to a posterior openbite tendency.

What Retainers Should I Use?

If your patient has a posterior openbite tendency, you’ll likely want to use either one Essex over a Hawley or one Essex over a bonded. If two Essex retainers are a must, wearing one at night and one in the day may be a potential compromise; this may be better suited after starting full-time with one Essex and one Hawley.