When you close your mouth, your upper and lower teeth should come together in a balanced way. With an open bite, however, some of the teeth do not make contact even when the back teeth are together. This is most noticeable when the front upper and lower teeth remain separated, leaving a visible opening.
An open bite can affect more than the appearance of your smile. Depending on its severity, it may influence chewing, speech, tooth wear, and the way the tongue functions. The good news is that many open bites can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. The right approach depends on what caused the open bite, the patient’s age, jaw development, and the complexity of the bite.
At IKC Orthodontics in North York and Toronto, open bites are evaluated as part of a comprehensive assessment of the teeth, jaws, bite, and oral function. The clinic’s own common orthodontic issues examples include an open-bite case associated with thumb sucking and tongue thrust, with treatment addressing both the bite and tongue function.
What Is an Open Bite?
An open bite occurs when certain upper and lower teeth do not touch when the jaws are closed. An anterior open bite affects the front teeth and is the type patients are most likely to notice. In some cases, an opening can occur farther back in the mouth.
The underlying cause is important because not every open bite develops for the same reason. Some are primarily related to tooth position, while others involve how the jaws have grown.
Habits during childhood can also play a role. Prolonged thumb sucking, finger sucking, or tongue thrusting may place repeated pressure on developing teeth and jaws. IKC Orthodontics identifies tongue thrusting and thumb sucking among the indications that may warrant early orthodontic treatment.
Why Can an Open Bite Be a Problem?
Some patients are mainly concerned about how an open bite looks, but function is equally important.
When the front teeth cannot meet normally, biting into foods may be more difficult. Instead of using the front teeth efficiently to bite through food, patients may compensate by relying on other teeth.
An open bite can also occur alongside tongue habits or speech concerns. If the tongue continually pushes forward between the teeth when swallowing or speaking, simply moving the teeth without addressing the underlying function may not provide the most stable result.
That is why orthodontic treatment should look at more than where the teeth are positioned. IKC Orthodontics considers factors such as facial and bone relationships, gum health, jaw joints, age, health, and patient cooperation when determining the appropriate orthodontic treatment options.
Can Braces Fix an Open Bite?
Braces can be an effective treatment for many open bites. Brackets and wires allow an orthodontist to carefully control the position of individual teeth and gradually improve how the upper and lower teeth come together.
Different types of braces may be considered depending on the patient’s needs. In some cases, braces may be combined with elastics or other orthodontic appliances to help guide the bite into a healthier relationship.
The amount of correction possible with braces depends partly on whether the open bite is primarily caused by tooth position or by the underlying jaw structure.
Can Invisalign Correct an Open Bite?
For some teens and adults, Invisalign may also be an option.
Invisalign uses a planned series of clear, removable aligners to gradually move teeth. IKC Orthodontics specifically identifies open bites among the orthodontic concerns that Invisalign can treat, although whether it is appropriate depends on the individual case.
Attachments, elastics, or other treatment techniques may sometimes be incorporated into an aligner plan to achieve the required tooth movement.
Because open bites vary considerably in severity, patients should not assume that aligners or braces will automatically be interchangeable. A comprehensive examination is needed to determine which approach gives the orthodontist the necessary control.
Why Early Treatment Can Matter for Children
When an open bite develops during childhood, timing can make an important difference.
A child’s jaws and facial structures are still growing, giving an orthodontist opportunities that may no longer exist once growth is complete. IKC Orthodontics uses two-phase treatment in appropriate cases to guide jaw development and improve how the upper and lower jaws relate to one another.
Early assessment can also identify habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting before they continue influencing tooth and jaw development.
This does not mean every child with an open bite needs immediate treatment. Sometimes monitoring growth is the best option. IKC Orthodontics recommends an early orthodontic evaluation so the development of the teeth and jaws can be assessed and the appropriate treatment timing determined.
What About Open Bites in Adults?
Adults can also successfully undergo orthodontic treatment for open bites, but treatment planning may be different because jaw growth is complete.
If the open bite is mainly related to tooth position, braces or clear aligners may be able to create substantial improvement. IKC Orthodontics provides both braces and Invisalign for adults and emphasizes that adult orthodontic treatment remains a viable option after facial growth has finished.
When a significant skeletal jaw discrepancy is responsible for the open bite, moving the teeth alone may not fully correct the problem. In these cases, orthognathic jaw surgery may be considered together with orthodontics.
IKC Orthodontics works with oral and maxillofacial surgeons on cases where jaw misalignment is too significant to correct predictably with braces or Invisalign alone.
How Do You Know Which Treatment You Need?
The first step is determining why the open bite exists.
During an orthodontic consultation, the orthodontist evaluates the alignment of the teeth and jaws and may use clinical photographs and digital X-rays when necessary. Your medical and dental history, habits, concerns, and treatment goals are also considered before recommendations are made.
For one patient, treatment might involve clear aligners. Another may benefit from braces and elastics. A growing child may require earlier intervention, while an adult with a significant skeletal open bite may need orthodontics coordinated with jaw surgery.
The important point is that an open bite is not a single problem with a single solution.
Book an Open Bite Assessment at IKC Orthodontics
If you or your child has front teeth that do not meet when biting down, an orthodontic assessment can help determine the cause and whether treatment is recommended. IKC Orthodontics provides personalized care for children, teens, and adults using braces, Invisalign, early orthodontic treatment, and coordinated orthognathic surgery when appropriate. Call 416-787-9060 to schedule a consultation at IKC Orthodontics in North York and learn which treatment approach may be right for your bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can an open bite be completely corrected?
Many open bites can be successfully corrected, but the outcome depends on the cause and severity of the problem. Dental open bites may respond well to braces or clear aligners, while significant skeletal problems can require a combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery.
2. Can Invisalign fix an open bite?
Yes, Invisalign can treat some open bites. IKC Orthodontics lists open bite among the orthodontic problems Invisalign may address. A consultation is necessary to determine whether clear aligners provide enough control for your particular bite.
3. Can thumb sucking cause an open bite?
Prolonged thumb or finger sucking can contribute to an open bite in growing children. IKC Orthodontics also identifies thumb sucking and tongue thrusting as habits that may indicate a need for early orthodontic assessment.
4. What is the best age to treat an open bite?
There is no single ideal age for every patient. Children may benefit from earlier evaluation because their jaws are still developing, while teens and adults can also be treated successfully. The cause and severity of the open bite help determine the best timing.
5. Does every adult with an open bite need jaw surgery?
No. Many adult open bites can be treated orthodontically. Corrective jaw surgery is generally considered when a significant skeletal jaw discrepancy cannot be predictably corrected through tooth movement alone.
