Effectiveness of removable anterior bite planes with varied mealtime protocols in correcting deep bites among growing patients: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives To compare effectiveness of two protocols for correcting deep bite in growing patients using a removable anterior bite plane (RABP): full-time wear with appliance on during meals (F + M) vs off during meals (F − M) and to explore the relationship between average daily duration of wear and overbite (OB) correction rate, stratified by the wear protocol. Materials and Methods Thirty-two growing patients with deep bite (mean age = 10.94 ± 2.17 years) were randomly assigned to the F + M (n = 16) or F − M (n = 16) group. Cephalometric radiographs were taken at baseline (T0) and when normal OB was achieved (T1). Duration of wear was recorded by a TheraMon microsensor within the appliance. A best-fit regression model for the relationship between daily duration of wear and OB correction rate was determined (α = 0.05). Results Both groups exhibited similar baseline characteristics and cephalometric changes, ie, molar extrusion, and incisor intrusion and proclination in both arches (P < .05), and intergroup differences were not significant. Here, F + M exhibited significantly faster rates of deep bite correction (1.83 ± 1.18 vs 1.08 ± 0.62 mm/month; P < .05) and mandibular molar extrusion (0.46 ± 0.25 vs 0.30 ± 0.18 mm/month, P < .05) compared with F − M. Best-fit regression models for relationship between daily duration of wear and OB correction rate were exponential for both F + M (R2 = 0.53) and F − M (R2 = 0.74). Conclusions Here, F + M and F − M protocols resulted in comparable cephalometric changes among deep bite growing patients. However, the F + M group exhibited a faster correction rate. Daily duration of wear positively correlated with OB correction rate in an exponential manner.