What is an open bite?

Open bite is when there is a gap between your front teeth in a closed bite position. Normally, your upper teeth are supposed to cover the lower ones when you close your mouth. When you have an open bite, a gap remains between your front teeth even after you close your mouth. Some open bite cases are genetic. However, most are the result of childhood thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting.

Many patients who suffer from an open bite want to close this ago. Having an open bite makes it more difficult to cut your food, which could lead to digestive and stomach problems. It can also adversely affect your speech and self-confidence. Closing your open bite also helps improve your smile. Luckily, you can fix most open bite conditions using braces or clear aligners. Continue reading to learn more about how you can fix your open bite orthodontic condition:

MILD OPEN BITES

Fix with at-home clear aligners

A mild open bite is anything with a 1 to 3-millimeter gap between your front teeth. You can fix many mild open bite cases using at-home clear aligners like Smile Direct Club™ or Even28 at-home™. At-home clear aligner treatment is simple, convenient, and relatively affordable. Clear aligners pull the upper teeth down and gradually close your open bite. All you have to do is wear your clear aligners and watch those teeth fall into their correct position. The best part is that most mild open bite cases are fixed within several months using clear aligners. Click here to learn more about Even28 at-home™ clear aligners. If you’re ready to correct your open bite, click on the button below to find a great dentist  near you today:

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MODERATE OPEN BITES

Use Invisalign®

Moderate open bites are best treated with dentist delivered clear aligners such as Invisalign or Even28 at-dentist.

Most mild open bite conditions qualify for at-home clear aligner therapy. However, larger open bite cases can not be fixed using at-home clear aligners and requires dentist intervention and supervision. Whenever your open bite exceeds 3 millimeters or so, you need to have a dentist oversee your clear aligner treatment. Without proper dentist supervision, your open bite could worsen. Therefore, you should avoid using at-home or DIY clear aligners like Smile Direct Club™ to treat more advanced open bite orthodontic conditions.

A large percentage of open bite conditions can be successfully treated using dentist-delivered clear aligners like Invisalign®. Teenagers and those in the mixed dentition stage should also avoid using at-home clear aligner programs. It’s important to have a dentist supervise and monitor your treatment. This way, your dentist can make sure treatment is going as scheduled and that your bite does not get adversely affected as a result. It’s likely that your dentist performs certain treatment, like tooth contouring or bite calibration, to make sure that you get the end results you’re looking for.

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SEVERE OPEN BITES

Must choose braces

Severe open bite conditions, those in excess of 7 millimeter, require braces instead of clear aligners. Sorry!

The most excessive open bite cases, those greater than 5 to 6 millimeters, are not a good candidate for clear aligner therapy. Clear aligners have their limits, and closing large gaps requires more forces than what your clear aligners can apply. Instead, you must wear braces to fix these more advanced open bite conditions. Your dentist or orthodontist will use elastics and rubber bands to pull your teeth together and close these large gaps. Click on the button below to find a dentist near you and look for one who offers braces:

BRACES OR CLEAR ALIGNERS?

The best way to fix your open bite

You can fix your open bite with clear aligners or braces. It all depends on how large your open bite condition is. The simplest open bite cases can be fixed using at-home clear aligners. The more advanced cases require dentist-delivered clear aligners. Finally, the most complex cases must be treated using braces. If you’re interested in fixing your open bite, you should talk to your dentist or orthodontist. They will help you decide which is the best way to fix your open bite. To get started, find a nearby dentist and schedule your consultation today:

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