teeth aligners

open bite teeth causes and how to correct it

the term ‘open bite’ is used to describe the misalignment of teeth which leads to an uneven bite. in an open bite case, the upper and lower teeth don’t touch the front or back of the mouth properly even when the jaw is completely shut. this causes an unwanted space between the upper and lower part of your teeth leading to an uneven bite every time you close your mouth.

an open bite can be categorised into different types depending upon the degree of misalignment of your teeth in the front or back of your mouth. there are various orthodontic treatments to fix an open bite which include corrective jaw surgery, tooth removal, replacement of missing teeth, braces, clear aligners, etc. we are going to dive deeper into the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment for an open bite issue.

types of open bite

  • anterior open bite

    in an anterior open bite, the front upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when you completely close your jaw. in this type of open bite, the front upper and lower teeth are slightly bent outwards leaving a significant space in the front portion of your teeth.

  • posterior open bite

    in a posterior open bite, the back upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when you completely close your jaw. in this type of open bite, only the anterior or front part of your teeth come in contact when you close your jaw leaving a space between the back part of your teeth.

  • incomplete open bite

    in an incomplete open bite, only the front upper teeth don’t overlap properly when you close your jaw. in this type of open bite, only the front upper teeth leave space in your mouth when you bite.

symptoms of open bite

an open bite issue can be recognised if you are experiencing the following symptoms in your day-to-day lives.

1. difficulty in closing your mouth

it becomes difficult to make your upper teeth meet your lower teeth when you have an open bite. this means you won’t be able to close your mouth properly.

2. trouble in eating

open bites can mean trouble in not only closing your mouth but also in biting, chewing and eating. so any kind of movement with your mouth can be painful and uncomfortable.

3. speech problems

oftentimes, people facing an open bite can have speech issues like developing a lisp and having unclear enunciation.

4. mouth breathing

all of these problems related to mouth movement with an open bite can have the patient resort to mouth breathing. and this typically becomes a habit too.

5. teeth misalignment

of course, you will notice some jaw misalignment or teeth misalignment if you have an open bite or are developing one

6. biting inner cheeks

generally, biting your inner cheeks by mistake can also be an indication of an open bite.

why do you need to correct an open bite?

an open bite can lead to various dental and health-related issues if left unchecked and untreated for a long time. some of the dental issues caused by an open bite include wear and tear of teeth, tooth decay, receding gums, etc. it can also cause other issues such as difficulty in speaking and eating, snoring, mouth breathing dry mouth, etc. that can affect your overall wellness. hence, it becomes essential to correct an open bite immediately by consulting an orthodontist.

open bite causes

here’s a look at some of the early childhood and day-to-day activities that can lead to the problem of developing an open bite.

tongue thrusting

this is one of the major reasons for developing an open bite. it involves the habit of placing your tongue in the wrong position while speaking or swallowing food. mainly people with the habit of tongue thrusting place their tongue too forward between their teeth or on the sides.

thumb sucking

this is another habit along with habits such as pacifier sucking or pencil chewing that can lead to an open bite. such habits can affect the alignment of your teeth leading to the issue of an open bite

temporomandibular joint disorder (tmd)

the temporomandibular joint acts as a connecting point between the jawbone and your skull providing mobility to your lower jaw by acting like a hinge. a TMD disorder can affect the temporomandibular joint and the surrounding muscles that control your jaw movement leading to an open bite.

how To treat open bite?

an open bite can be treated through various orthodontic solutions that are available in today’s time. here are some of the solutions for treating an open bite.

1. corrective jaw surgery

this may seem extreme, but getting a corrective jaw surgery is one way of fixing an open bite. however, this comes with some risks like infection,bleeding, more surgeries etc.

2. tooth removal

sometimes, an open bite is caused when there is a crowding of teeth on one of the jaws. by undergoing a tooth removal procedure, you can create space in your jaw and slightly correct your bite issues.

3. replacement of missing teeth

in the case of the absence of teeth causing your bite problems, getting a procedure done to replace missing teeth can complete your smile and also resolve bite issues too.

4. use of braces

braces are an effective and affordable way to correct an open bite, especially at a young age. braces are known to be a great solution for all kinds of misalignments, both mild and severe, including open bites. so, you can always go to a dental clinic, get your teeth diagnosed by an orthodontist and get started with your teeth correction journey.

5. use of clear aligners

clear aligners are one of the most convenient and comfortable solutions for an open bite. clear aligners like makeO toothsi’s invisible aligners are easy to wear and remove, durable, effective and entirely discreet, which means you can work on your open bite while being completely confident and worry-free about your smile!

the correct type of treatment will depend upon the severity of your case which will be decided by a thorough inspection by your orthodontist.

how much does corrective treatment cost?

the cost of an open bite correction in India starts at ₹50,000 and can go up to ₹1,50,000 or more. the cost of an open bite correction in India will vary depending upon the type of treatment and the severity of misalignment in teeth. you can consult your orthodontist to decide the right type of treatment for your open bite.

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faqs:

what is an anterior open bite?

an anterior open bite is a teeth misalignment issue where the front upper and lower teeth are slightly bent outwards. due to this misaligned position, your upper and lower teeth won’t touch when you close your mouth causing an uneven bite.

what is a posterior open bite?

a posterior open bite occurs when your molars and premolars are not in alignment with each other when you bite. in a posterior open bite, your front upper and lower teeth touch each other but the back upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when you bite.

what are the types of open bite?

an open bite is mainly categorized into 3 types: an anterior open bite, a posterior open bite, and an incomplete open bite. in an anterior open bite, the front upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when biting; in a posterior open bite, the back upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when biting; and in an incomplete bite, only the front upper teeth don’t overlap properly when biting.

is open bite serious?

yes, an open bite can put you at risk of various dental issues if not treated in time. people with an open bite can cause difficulties in daily activities such as eating, speaking, breathing, and sleeping. an open bite can also lead to serious dental issues such as tooth decay due to constant wear and tear with time.

can an open bite be corrected by itself?

yes, an open bite can correct itself mainly in childhood stages with milk teeth. however, once a person enters adulthood with permanent teeth, it is highly unlikely for an open bite to correct itself. the open bite needs to be corrected with the right orthodontic treatment with the supervision of an orthodontist.

how long does it take to treat open bite?

clear aligners can treat an open bite with an average time of 9-18 months compared to traditional braces which will take an average time of 18-24 months. however, the time required to treat an open bite will depend on the type of treatment and the severity of the case.

what causes open bite?

an open bite can be caused by several early childhood or day-to-day habits such as thumb or pacifier-sucking, tongue thrusting, nail-biting, pencil chewing, etc. other reasons causing an overbite include genetics, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), or irregular skeletal structure.

will correcting open bite change face shape?

yes, correcting an open bite can affect your face shape by making it look more symmetrical. since anterior open bite can cause aesthetic concerns because of the outward slant, an open bite correction treatment will help improve your overall facial appearance, especially near the mouth area.

can open bite relapse?

yes, an open bite can relapse even after it has been treated through surgical and conventional methods such as braces and clear aligners. To avoid relapse after treatment, you should wear your retainers diligently for 3-6 months and thereafter for the instructed amount of time by your orthodontist.

does open bite affect speech?

yes, in most cases an open bite can affect your speech and the way you talk. If the open bite is not treated during the early stages, it can affect your speech and pronunciation in the long run. in severe cases of an open bite, many people even develop a lisp due to an open bite.

what is the cost of open bite correction in India?

the cost of an open bite correction in India starts at ₹50,000 and can go up to ₹1,50,000 or more. The cost of an open bite correction in India will vary depending upon the choice of treatment and the severity of misalignment in teeth.

does open bite get worse over time?

yes, an open bite can get worse over time as your teeth can continue to shift while making the misalignment severe. if not treated in time, the open bite will keep getting worse leading to problems such as difficulty in speaking and eating, gum diseases, tooth decay, and much more.

what are the symptoms of an open bite?

the most noticeable symptom of an open bite is when you won’t be able to close your mouth properly leading to an uneven bite. other symptoms include difficulty in biting or chewing, speech problems, mouth breathing, etc.

what are the problems caused by open bite?

if an open bite is not treated in time, it can cause dental issues such as wear and tear of teeth, tooth decay, receding gums, etc. an open bite can lead to other problems such as difficulty in speaking and eating, snoring, mouth breathing, dry mouth, etc.

is open bite correction painful?

open bite correction can feel slightly uncomfortable or painful at the beginning of the treatment, especially with braces. Since gradual pressure is applied on your teeth for their alignment, you will feel the pressure of your teeth. however, with time, you’ll get used to it and the pain and discomfort will no longer be there.

how do you fix open bite?

there are various orthodontic treatments to fix an open bite which include corrective jaw surgery, tooth removal, replacement of missing teeth, braces, clear aligners, etc. the most convenient way to fix an open bite is the use of clear aligners that provide a discreet option to fix your teeth affordably. you can choose makeO toothsi clear aligners to start your teeth alignment journey now!

is it ok to have an open bite?

an open bite can lead to serious dental issues that can affect your overall health and wellness if not corrected in time. if having an open bite is leading to dental and health problems, then you should consult an orthodontist and get it corrected immediately.

do I need braces for an open bite?

in most cases, you will need braces or some kind of orthodontic treatment to treat your open bite. the type of treatment recommended will depend upon the type and severity of your case. however, braces or clear aligners will be the most efficient and effective way to treat an open bite. your orthodontist will recommend the correct treatment after inspecting your case.

does open bite require surgery?

corrective jaw surgery is one of the ways to treat an overbite effectively. your orthodontist will recommend the correct dental procedure required after a thorough inspection of your teeth and bite. the requirement of surgery for an open bite will depend upon the type of your case.

how does open bite affect smile?

in an open bite, especially an anterior open bite where your front teeth are slant outwards, you will have to stretch your lips to close them completely. This can lead to resistance and discomfort while speaking and your face may also look asymmetrical. An open bite can affect your face in general leading to problems in eating, breathing, and speaking.

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