INFLUENCE OF DELETERIOUS HABITS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTERIOR OPEN BITE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTIONAL ORTHOPEDIC INTERVENTION

Abstract

Anterior open bite is a malocclusion of multifactorial etiology that may be associated with the presence and persistence of deleterious oral habits during childhood development. This study aims to investigate the influence of these habits on the development of anterior open bite in children with mixed dentition and to understand the importance of early functional orthopedic intervention in the treatment of this malocclusion. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciELO databases, considering studies published between 2018 and 2025. Thirteen studies were selected for the results and organized into two thematic axes. The findings indicate that habits such as finger sucking, pacifier use, mouth breathing, and functional alterations are associated with anterior open bite, with this relationship being influenced by duration, frequency, intensity, and persistence. Functional orthopedic intervention was found to be relevant during the mixed dentition stage, as it occurs during a period of craniofacial growth, allowing dentoalveolar, skeletal, and functional components to be considered. It is concluded that the approach should be individualized, considering the etiology, functional conditions, and clinical characteristics of each child.