Aim: To show that the high relapse incidence of malocclusion characterized by anterior open bite is frequently due to an anterior tongue rest posture, an etiologic factor that has been largely overlooked both in conventional orthodontic treatment and in surgical treatment. Method: A maxillary fixed intraoral appliance with spurs was used to modify anterior tongue posture. Results: Research with this appliance in a large sample of anterior open bite patients demonstrated long-term stability postretention. Clinical cases using this method are presented. Conclusion: In the overall scheme of open bite treatment, therapy with intraoral spurs for the correction of anterior open bite has a wide range of application. World J Orthod 2001;2:219–231.