Indications:

• Skeletal or dentoalveolar anterior open bite due to posterior maxillary over-eruption.

• Vertical maxillary excess in growing or young adult patients.

• Pre-surgical orthodontics to reduce posterior vertical dimension.

• Patients needing molar intrusion with stable force delivery.

Contraindications:

• Poor periodontal support of posterior teeth.

• Severe skeletal vertical discrepancies needing orthognathic impaction.

• Non-compliant patients if combined with extraoral traction.

• Poor oral hygiene (risk of decalcification under splint).

Corrects:

• Intrudes maxillary molars and premolars.

• Allows counter-clockwise autorotation of mandible → improves anterior open bite.

• Reduces lower anterior facial height.

• Improves interlabial gap and facial esthetics.

Design:

• Full occlusal coverage acrylic splint over posterior teeth (premolars and molars).

• Incorporates stainless steel tubes (labially or buccally positioned) soldered to molar bands or embedded into the splint.

• Tubes serve as force delivery channels – to receive high-pull headgear, transpalatal arch wires, or vertical elastics.

• Splint ensures rigid coupling of posterior teeth, distributing intrusive forces evenly.

Philosophy:

• Provides anchorage control and force guidance through tubes.

• Delivers intrusive orthopedic forces (~100–150 g per molar) via headgear, elastics, or skeletal anchorage connected to tubes.

• Prevents tipping of individual molars by uniting teeth into one block.

• Aims for controlled intrusion → mandibular autorotation → closure of open bite.

Modifications:

• Tubes can be oriented for different vectors (more vertical or oblique intrusion).

• Can be combined with high-pull headgear for vertical control.

• Mini-implant anchorage can be used with elastics engaged into tubes (MIAS – mini-implant assisted splint).

• Bite-block extensions can be added to restrict eruption of incisors

Advantages:

·         Combines splint stability with extraoral anchorage → allows efficient transfer of orthopedic forces.

·         Provides vertical control → intrudes maxillary molars, reducing vertical dimension and anterior open bite.

·         Effective in high-angle & vertical growers → helps redirect growth pattern favorably.

·         Distributes headgear forces evenly across maxillary posterior teeth, minimizing localized stress.

·         Secure splint retention → prevents dislodgement during headgear wear.

·         Reduces risk of unwanted dental tipping compared to banded headgear.

·         Enhances orthopedic effect of headgear → maxillary growth restriction or redirection with vertical control.

Custom fabricated by MaxDent → ensures precision fit, comfort, and durability for better compliance