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Fixing an Open Bite: Are Braces the Only Answer?

Fixing an Open Bite: Are Braces the Only Answer?

Resources     Orthodontics     Fixing an Open Bite: Are Braces the Only Answer?

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Table of Contents

  1. What is an Open Bite?
  2. Types of Open Bite
  3. Causes
  4. Treatment
  5. Treatment Cost
  6. Health Risks for Non-Treatment
  7. Open Bite FAQs
  8. References

An open bite is a type of malocclusion (teeth misalignment). With an open bite, there is a gap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. This may be caused by genetics, oral habits (like tongue thrusting or pacifier use as a child), or injury. 

An open bite can cause problems that include decay, speech problems, difficulty chewing, and weakened tooth enamel. 

Serious cases of open bite that are caused by a skeletal problem or jaw positioning may require jaw surgery. Other treatment options may include braces, orthodontic appliances (such as palatal expanders), and clear aligners.

Open Bite vs Healthy Bite

What is an Open Bite?

When teeth are properly aligned, the upper teeth will fit comfortably just over the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. The grooves and tops of opposing molars will line up to fit together. 

With an open bite, some of the upper and lower teeth do not connect when the mouth is closed. There is still a gap and in places, the upper and lower teeth are not touching. 

An open bite is a form of a malocclusion, or tooth misalignment. Malocclusion is common and open bites are particularly difficult to live with, as they can have a serious impact on important daily activities like chewing, talking, and taking care of your gums and teeth.

What are the Types of Open Bite?

While open bites vary in severity and some are more visible than others, there are two main types:

  • Anterior open bite: Front teeth slant outward and don't connect at all, even when the back molars do. Most people with an open bite have this version.
  • Posterior open bite: Front teeth fit together as they should, but back teeth never do.

What Causes an Open Bite?

Many types of malocclusion, including open bite, are often caused by genetics or hereditary issues that affect the jaw, mouth, or bite. 

These are other possible causes of an open bite:

  • Childhood oral habits: Prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb sucking may cause an open bite, especially if these activities continue after permanent teeth replace baby teeth. 
  • Certain types of sippy cups: Continuous use of sippy cups can affect a child’s mouth and jaw development. If you’re concerned about your child’s use of a sippy cup, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
  • Tooth eruption problems: If there are problems with tooth erupting, like delayed permanent teeth, the risk for malocclusion issues like open bite may be higher.
  • Injury: Injury or trauma to the mouth and/or jaw may result in orthodontic issues like open bite.
  • Missing teeth: If a tooth is lost and not treated, teeth may shift and cause misalignment problems.

How is an Open Bite Treated?

If you have an open bite, your treatment options will depend on how severe and complex your malocclusion is. For severe cases or those involving a skeletal issue causing the “bad bite,” surgery may be required. In these extreme cases, a combination of treatments may be needed — for example, surgery followed by the use of aligners or braces.

Treatments for open bite malocclusion include the following:

Jaw Surgery
If your open bite is caused by a jaw misalignment or skeletal problem (such as an unhealed fracture), your dental specialist may recommend surgery. While jaw surgery may allow for proper teeth movement, it won’t change the position of your teeth, so additional orthodontic care will likely be part of your treatment plan.
Tooth Extraction
If your open bite problems include crowding anywhere in your mouth, you may need a tooth (or multiple teeth) to be removed in order to provide space for teeth to shift into correct positioning. Again, this alone won’t change the alignment of your teeth, and more orthodontic treatment will be needed to fix the problem.
Replacing Missing Teeth
If your orthodontic issues are due to a lost tooth or teeth, replacing those missing teeth will be an important step in your orthodontic treatment. Options for replacing missing teeth include dental bridges, dental implants, and full or partial dentures.
Braces

Braces are a common option for teeth misalignment. With braces, brackets are cemented to teeth and connected by wires that are tightened by your orthodontist on a regular basis. This tightening provides pressure, which moves teeth into their new places.

Braces are fixed. They remain on the teeth until removed by your orthodontist.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are removable trays that are custom made to fit over your teeth and apply gentle continuous pressure as they guide teeth into optimal positioning. With aligner treatment, a series of these trays are designed and created to progressively move teeth.

Some aligners are provided in-office, through a dentist. For mild-to-moderate open bites and misalignments, at-home aligners can offer a completely remote treatment experience. Because of their convenience and fast results, aligners are popular among adults looking to correct their smile and bite.

Orthodontic Appliances
Dental devices like palatal expanders, which fit onto the roof of the mouth and are widened in order to influence jaw development, are sometimes used to treat an open bite. These appliances are usually combined with other forms of treatment, especially for adults whose jaws are already developed.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

An open bite changes your smile. When your teeth don't meet, it's hard to feel good about your smile, but the issue isn't just cosmetic. \ \ Often, it interferes with your quality of life. It's common for insurance companies to chip in and pay for part of your care. But even with some insurance coverage, the bills can still be high. \ \ People who opt for surgery will see the biggest bills. Experts say orthognathic surgery (which involves amending an open bite) can cost up to $40,000 for people without insurance. With coverage, you can knock that bill down to $5,000 or so. \ \ Choose braces, and you will pay less. Experts say braces cost, on average, about $5,000. 

But difficult open bites come with higher prices. Expect to pay more for interventions like these:

  • Headgear
  • Jaw screws
  • Rubber bands

You'll also pay more if you modify your braces. Choose tooth-colored ceramic brackets, for example, and your bill can jump to about $8,500. \ \ Dental insurance can offset some of the costs of braces, but this is usually only the case when braces are medically necessary rather than purely for aesthetic reasons.

Clear aligners offer both efficacy and value. You don’t have to visit an orthodontist regularly since the aligners are mailed right to your home. For mild cases, doctor-supervised, at-home aligners can be yours for about $2,000.\ \ These tools aren't right for all open bite problems. Significant cases may need more help than aligners can deliver. But for some, they offer the perfect way to straighten a smile while saving money and time.

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Are there Health Risks Associated with not Treating Open Bite?

Many people with an open bite may feel self-conscious about the condition, aware that their teeth are not lining up properly, and worrying about the appearance of their teeth. This alone can pose a number of problems and affect an individual’s mental health. 

But the problems associated with an overbite and malocclusion go beyond appearance. 

Misalignments may be associated with jaw problems, and they can cause teeth problems like spacing and crowding. Teeth may not line up correctly, and this may create friction between teeth or between a tooth and the gums or inner cheek. 

Health risks of open bites include the following:

Decay & Gum Disease
When issues like crowding and gaps are present, decay and bacteria may accumulate. For example, it can gather in the hard-to-clean narrow areas between crowded teeth or in the spaces left between gapped teeth. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum problems, which can ultimately lead to cavities, bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Weakened Tooth Enamel
Bad bite patterns as the result of misalignment can increase the wear on tooth enamel, leaving the tooth less protected and more prone to damage and decay.
Gum Inflammation
If a misaligned tooth is repeatedly coming into abrasive contact with a part of the gums, this can cause inflammation and irritation of the gums.
Eating Problems
People with an open bite may have difficulty chewing or biting into food. This can become a more serious issue with aging.
Speech Problems
Open bites can affect one’s speech and confidence while talking. People with an open bite may struggle with a lisp.
Strain on Muscles & Jaw
The misalignment of an open bite can put stress on the jaw and supporting muscles, resulting in jaw disorders like TMJ.

Open Bite Frequently Asked Questions

Does an open bite require braces?

If you want to fix an open bite, you will need to get braces or another type of orthodontia like invisible aligners. Open bites do not necessarily cause severe health problems, but they can lead to difficulty chewing or biting into foods.

An open bite puts stress on teeth in ways that may not be good for long-term dental health. For example, front teeth do not touch, which could lead to chipping a tooth due to the stress of biting. If back teeth do not fit together, they could be ground down in detrimental ways during chewing, which could increase the risk of cavities or worn enamel.

More often, people with open bites are concerned about how their smile looks to others. Even if their teeth are generally healthy, they may feel self-conscious next to friends who do not have misaligned teeth. Fortunately, orthodontics like clear aligners can help.

Can an open bite fix itself in an adult?

Sometimes, if an open bite occurs with baby teeth, the open bite might resolve itself as adult teeth come in. If your child sucks their thumb, thrusts their tongue, or uses a pacifier longer than intended, their open bite might go away once that behavior stops.

Once adult teeth take the place of baby teeth, an open bite will not go away and requires orthodontia. Fortunately, there are many options for dental treatment to manage open bites, including clear plastic aligners.

Do adults have open bites?

Yes, adults can have an open bite. While it is much more common for children to develop open bites with their baby teeth, adults sometimes develop this problem because their teeth are crowded, or they still have some habits like tongue thrusting, especially at night while they are asleep.

An open bite can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea, problems breathing properly, and higher stress on teeth. These issues can increase the risk of other dental problems, including tooth decay, misalignments in other teeth, and chipped or cracked enamel.

What is the best way to fix an open bite?

Your orthodontist will advise you on the best way to fix an open bite since individual needs can vary. However, many adults who have open bites opt for clear aligners, which can rapidly improve dental alignment while being very discrete.

Most invisible aligners require 20 or more hours per day of wear, and you only wear each aligner set for about 2 weeks at a time, taking it out to eat and drink at meals or snacks. When you smile, others are unlikely to notice these devices. But they are quietly realigning your smile and helping your front teeth align, so you can feel confident in your smile and oral health.

References

Malocclusion. (November 2021). Cleveland Clinic. 

What Is an Open Bite? (January 2023). Colgate.

Missing Teeth. American College of Prosthodontists. 

Anterior Bite Opening in Adulthood. (2017). The Open Dentistry Journal. 

Treating the Open Bite. (March 1997). Journal of General Orthodontics. 

Nonsurgical Treatment and Stability of an Adult With Severe Anterior Open-Bite Malocclusion. (February 2018). Journal of Orthodontic Science. 

Rapid, Nonsurgical Open-Bite Closure With a Passive Self-ligating Bracket System Using a Differential Bonding Technique. (October 2017). Orthodontic Practice U.S.

Open Bite Malocclusion: An Overview. (January 2018). Journal of Oral Health and Craniofacial Science. 

A New Approach to Open Bite Treatment. (September 2010). Oral Health. 

Two-Phase Treatment of Anterior Open Bite. (December 2017). Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. 

Perception of Discomfort During Orthodontic Treatment with Tongue Spurs. (Fall 2011). Orthodontics. 

Palate Expanders. (June 2022). Cleveland Clinic. 

Two Options for Replacing Lost Teeth. (November 2016). Harvard Medical School. 

Orthognathic Surgery Cost. CostHelper. 

Braces Cost. CostHelper.

Oral Disease and Self-Confidence. Listerine Professional. 

Malocclusion of Teeth. Mount Sanai. 

Inflamed Gums: Causes & Treatments for Gum Swelling. Crest.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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