Effective Methods for Treating Open Bite Issues - video

An open bite, where the top and bottom teeth do not connect properly when the jaw is shut, is a relatively rare dental complaint. It occurs in an estimated 0.6% of people in the United States. Orthodontic intervention by an expert, licensed orthodontist using braces or Invisalign can successfully treat even complex open bites.

Only in very severe cases will an open bite require oral surgery. Usually, it can be corrected with regular orthodontic intervention, such as braces or Invisalign. Your orthodontist will do a full comprehensive examination, including x-rays or 3D imaging, to assess your bite and determine the proper treatment.

An open bite is a form of orthodontic malocclusion – or “bad bite” – in which the top and bottom teeth do not overlap and don't touch properly when the jaw is closed, leaving a gap between the top and bottom rows of teeth even when the mouth is closed.

To determine whether you have an open bite, look in the mirror, bite down gently, and smile to show your teeth while looking straight at your reflection. If there is a space between your top and bottom teeth, you likely have an open bite. Consult an orthodontist for further examination.

In the majority of cases, an open bite can be corrected using regular orthodontic therapy by an expert doctor. Braces or Invisalign are both excellent, effective options for straightening an open bite, provided you seek a licensed, experienced professional.

In severe cases, your doctor may refer you for oral surgery to supplement your orthodontic care. The key to effective treatment is an experienced professional orthodontist in a specialized practice.

A Nightguard, or nighttime mouthguard, is used to help people stop grinding their teeth or locking their jaw while they sleep. In some cases, it can cause teeth to shift over time, which could start to cause an open bite.

If you wear a nightguard for teeth grinding and have concerns about your teeth shifting, consult your orthodontist for a diagnosis.

Yes, absolutely. Any untreated orthodontic malocclusion such as an open bite will get worse over time. It is very important to seek an experienced orthodontist who can correct your open bite as soon as possible, to prevent further damage to the teeth and gums, as well as prevent pain or discomfort chewing, biting, or swallowing.

For children with open bites, early intervention – as early as age 7 – will lead to the longest-lasting, most effective results.

Absolutely, it is important to correct an open bite because it will get worse over time. Properly aligned teeth are more than cosmetic: they are the gateway to a healthy mouth and a healthy overall body.

Untreated open bites can cause pain or discomfort with chewing, biting, and swallowing; problems sleeping; tooth decay or periodontal disease, gum and tooth loss, and more. For all of these reasons, it’s very important to seek treatment from an expert orthodontist to treat an open bite.

No, an open bite will not correct itself. It actually will get worse over time, requiring more invasive treatment methods. Don’t wait for an open bite to correct itself: it will not happen. Seek a licensed, experienced orthodontist who can treat your condition effectively, with lasting results, using treatments like braces or Invisalign therapy.

Yes, thumb-sucking is a common cause of open bites. Any habit that pushes the teeth out of alignment over time can cause an open bite: thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, or poor swallowing patterns can all cause an open bite.

Yes, an open bite can create speech impediments like lisping. The improper closure of the top and bottom teeth can cause difficulties in speaking and articulating. Treatment of an open bite can help correct a lisp, although further speech therapy may also be necessary.

Absolutely! Expert, licensed orthodontists can correct open bites in adults. Open bite treatment in adults can require complex treatment, but it can be very successful if supervised by an experienced orthodontist.

Orthodontists use both braces and Invisalign to close open bites in adults. Many orthodontists find Invisalign to be more effective for closing open bites, as well as more comfortable for the patient.

Experienced orthodontists are skilled at treating open bites with Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign clear aligners may achieve better results for open bites when compared to braces. Invisalign clear aligners are comfortable, easy to use, and highly effective. They offer a discreet treatment method for correcting an open bite, with nearly invisible clear braces that subtly adjust the teeth into their correct positions.

Seek a highly-experienced Invisalign orthodontist: Diamond Plus or Diamond Invisalign Providers have the most experience and thus can provide the most reliable results in treating open bites with Invisalign clear aligners.

An expert, licensed orthodontist is uniquely skilled in correcting an open bite with Invisalign. To begin, your orthodontist will take  3D iTero scans of your teeth and bite , as well as x-rays. Your expert orthodontist custom-designs each clear aligner and attachment, based on a modeling system to accurately predict how to close your bite. You’ll wear a series of  custom-designed aligners  to slowly adjust your teeth into their correct positions.

Seek an experienced doctor with years of Invisalign experience: Diamond Plus or Diamond Invisalign Providers have the most experience treating conditions with open bite and thus can produce the most effective, lasting results.

Everyone’s treatment is unique based on their specific diagnosis and the skill of their doctor, but an expert Invisalign provider can generally correct an open bite in 12-24 months.

When treating an open bite with Invisalign, be sure to find an experienced orthodontist in an accredited, dedicated orthodontist's office, not a general dentist. Diamond Plus or Diamond Invisalign Providers are the most expert orthodontists with the greatest amount of Invisalign experience.

Orthodontists receive special training to straighten teeth, and dedicated orthodontic offices have higher volumes and access to a wide array of instruments and technology, which can make treatment times faster and lower your costs.

Treatment costs to correct an open bite depend on the specifics of your case.  Invisalign costs anywhere from $2,650 to $9,000 , depending on the severity of your diagnosis, where you go for treatment, and where you live.

When finding an Invisalign provider, do your research: make sure you’re choosing an experienced orthodontist in an actual office, rather than cutting corners with teledentistry and mail-order aligners. These brands do not actually save you money and can fail to correct your open bite, or in some cases, make it worse.

Whatever treatment you choose, remember that the key to any effective treatment for your open bite is an experienced, licensed orthodontist. Their skill is what makes both braces and Invisalign treatment work. Expert doctors can produce excellent results with both braces and Invisalign. Invisalign has been found to be more effective for closing open bites. Braces may be more cost-effective and may be  fully covered by insurance  depending on your provider.

They are extremely reliable, effective, and comfortable. Invisalign treatment is more effective than braces when treating open bites, with better results: many patients also prefer Invisalign treatment for its comfortability, ease of use, and discreet appearance.  Both treatments, however, are effective for closing an open bite, as long as they are used by a licensed, experienced orthodontist.

An experienced orthodontist can correct an open bite with braces. Metal or ceramic braces are both great treatment options for correcting an open bite, so long as they are supervised in-office by a licensed, experienced doctor. Your orthodontist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you. Orthodontists have helped many people correct their open bites with braces!

It depends on the specific of your case and the skill of your orthodontist, but most braces treatments for closing an open bite take about 12-24 months. Be sure to seek an expert orthodontist for the best results.

The price varies with the specifics of your case, the provider you select, and what else needs to be treated along with the open bite. Generally, you can expect to pay between $1,800 and $7,000 for treatment with braces for an open bite.

Make sure to select an orthodontist who works in a dedicated orthodontic practice: they will have more experience with straightening teeth and knowledge about how to correct an open bite. They will also have access to the highest-quality orthodontic instruments and technology. Their prices will also be lower due to a higher volume of orthodontic patients, rather than a wide variety of dental cases as in a general dentist’s office.

No. Orthodontists strongly discourage attempting to close an open bite at home. Orthodontists study for years to learn how to properly align teeth and create healthy smiles: trying at-home techniques can seriously damage your teeth.

Similarly, getting your open bite treated with teledentistry can have serious consequences for your smile. Many thousands of complaints have been filed against mail-order teledentistry brands for failing to produce results, or for creating worse problems with the teeth and gums.

For the most reliable results, you should seek an in-office, experienced orthodontist to correct your open bite.

To treat your open bite, an expert orthodontist will attach brackets to your teeth and place a flexible wire across them. The wire links the brackets and provides the force that moves the teeth slowly and safely into place, bringing your teeth into their proper positions and closing your bite.

Your orthodontist may also use rubber bands, which help direct the movement and advance the teeth into their correct position.

Moving teeth requires years of training: be sure to choose an experienced orthodontist who is equipped with the tools and skill needed to expertly correct your open bite.