The bite plate--an adjunct in periodontic and orthodontic therapy.

This report reviews bite plate therapy and describes several variations of bite plates. Bite plates may be useful as an adjunct to periodontic and orthodontic therapy. They may be used as a diagnostic appliance, to take mobile teeth out of trauma by disarticulating them, to allow teeth to extrude and shallow out associated osseous deformities, and to eliminate the superimposed occlusal trauma that may be caused by the parafunctional habits that can develop during orthodontic tooth movement. The change in vertical position of the dentition and the decrease in overbite are primarily due to eruption of the posterior teeth and not intrusion of the lower anterior teeth. The decrease in overbite may be accompanied by an increase in overjet and an alteration of the mesio-distal and bucco-lingual occlusal landmarks. In some cases the use of a bite plate may cause the development of an anterior open bite. Any such occlussal alterations produced by the bite plate should be corrected by occlusal adjustment or orthodontic therapy and occlusal adjustment.