American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

In Carriere treatment, the phenomenon of increased lower incisor flaring is often associated with a reduction in overbite. This treatment approach is designed to correct dental and skeletal discrepancies, particularly in cases where there is a vertical dimension change or anterior teeth positioning adjustment.

When the overbite is reduced, the anterior teeth, particularly the lower incisors, tend to extrude slightly. This change can lead to increased flaring as the lower incisors move buccally to maintain optimal esthetics and functional occlusion. By achieving a reduction in overbite, there is often a corresponding adjustment in the alignment and angulation of the anterior teeth to ensure proper interdigitation during closure, which promotes effective adjustment and stability of the occlusion.

Understanding this relationship is essential in orthodontics, as it allows practitioners to anticipate and manage the positioning of the incisors effectively throughout treatment. In contrast, an increase in overbite or the deepening of the bite typically does not promote flaring of the incisors, as these changes often involve different mechanical and dental adjustments.