Camoufl age orthodontic treatment in an autistic class II patient with anterior open bite: Case report

Resumen

An orthodontic case report is presented. The patient was a 12 year old autistic male with class II, augmented overjet, vertical growth and anterior open bite. He also exhibited tongue-thrust habit. A surgical treatment was ideal for this case but because of his neurological problem, it was decided to use an alternative orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic treatment included: Hyrax, high-pull-headgear, double transpalatal bar with acrylic button and elastics. After a three year treatment, class I approximation was obtained, open bite was corrected and vertical growth was controlled. The patient’s tonguethrust habit was controlled using a wrap-around retainer with tongue corrector. This retainer was placed on the maxillary arch and on the lower, a lingual bonded retainer was used. The camouflage orthodontic treatment was successful because good behavioral techniques for autism patients were used.

Key words: High-pull headgear, double transpalatal bar, tongue-thrust habit, lingual trap, oral breather, vertical growth, autism.