Effects of Open Bite Activator and Skeletal Anchorage-Supported Vertical Elastics on the Masseter Muscle

A custom-made acrylic open bite activator was fabricated for each participant, with the bite registered 3-4 mm above freeway space. Miniscrews were placed between the lateral and canine teeth in both jaws. Vertical elastics (150g force) were applied bilaterally between miniscrews and the appliance. The intervention aimed to reduce vertical growth in posterior regions and stimulate anterior dentoalveolar development while improving masseter muscle morphology.