Initial situation
- Open bite — front teeth did not meet
- Jaw narrowing
- Crowded teeth
- Reverse smile arc
The decision
This case is presented as a before-and-after outcome. As with other cases in this practice, the treatment plan followed a standard staged assessment addressing the open bite, arch narrowing, and crowding before the reverse smile arc was corrected.
The result
The patient finished treatment with a wide, open, and symmetrical smile, with the anterior open bite closed and the reverse smile arc corrected.
Addressing arch narrowing alongside an anterior open bite and crowding can help correct a reverse smile arc and produce a more symmetrical, open smile.
About skeletal expansion & MARPE
This case reflects how an anterior open bite is often linked to transverse narrowing of the arches rather than an isolated dental problem. Evaluating jaw width alongside vertical and arch-length factors helps clinicians plan treatment that addresses crowding, bite closure, and smile arc together. Staged assessment of these interacting factors, rather than treating the open bite in isolation, supports a more predictable and symmetrical outcome.
Questions clinicians ask
Why is jaw narrowing relevant to an anterior open bite?
Arch narrowing can contribute to how teeth erupt and align, and correcting the transverse dimension often supports closing an anterior open bite and improving the smile arc.
What is a reverse smile arc?
A reverse smile arc occurs when the curve of the upper incisal edges does not follow the curve of the lower lip, which can make a smile look less balanced even after alignment is improved.
How does crowding factor into open bite correction?
Resolving crowding often requires addressing arch width and length, which is closely tied to correcting bite relationships like an anterior open bite.
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Original case shared by Dr. Mark Radzhabov on Instagram @orthodont_mark · Published for professional education.
