What is an Open bite?
An open bite is a rare form of teeth misalignment in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet whenever the mouth is closed. It is because the two sets of teeth slant outwards.
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Open Bite
Understanding an open bite by differentiating and treating this malocclusion
An open bite is characterized by a noticeable gap between the upper and lower sets of teeth when the jaws are brought together. This condition typically manifests in the front region of the mouth.
It's essential to address open bites promptly as they can lead to several challenges. Timely intervention by a dental professional is crucial to assess the underlying causes and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Types of an open bite
Posterior open bite
This type of open bite occurs when the posterior teeth which are your molars and premolars do not meet upon the mouth being closed. This happens at the back of your mouth.
Anterior open bite
This open bite happens in the front of your mouth. This is when your upper anterior teeth and incisors do not meet the lower ones when you close your mouth. It should be treated, or else it might make tearing food difficult and cause speech defects.
Types of an open bite
Posterior open bite
This type of open bite occurs when the posterior teeth which are your molars and premolars do not meet upon the mouth being closed. This happens at the back of your mouth.
Anterior open bite
This open bite happens in the front of your mouth. This is when your upper anterior teeth and incisors do not meet the lower ones when you close your mouth. It should be treated, or else it might make tearing food difficult and cause speech defects.
Causes
- An open bite can be the result of mouth breathing. Some people have the habit of breathing through their mouth and it can cause a gap to develop between the upper and lower teeth.
- In children, excessive use of a pacifier can result in the development of an open bite between their upper and lower sets of teeth.
- Habits like bottle-sucking past a certain age can also cause an open bite.
- Persistent habits like thumb and lower lip sucking can also create an evident gap between the set of teeth.
- Trauma to the jaw can cause jaw misalignment and can result in an open bite.
- Skeletal problems which cause your jaws to grow apart can also cause an open bite. It can be genetic.
The following habits can result in the development of a crossbite among children
- Thumb Sucking
- Tongue Thrusting
- Excessive Use of a Pacifier
- Bottle Sucking
- Teeth Pushing
- Early Milk Teeth Loss
The following habits can result in the development of a crossbite among children
Thumb Sucking
Tongue Thrusting
Excessive Use of a Pacifier
Bottle Sucking
Teeth Pushing
Early Milk Teeth Loss
Effects
A deep bite might not be prominent when the mouth is open but it can be a major problem when it comes to one’s wish of having a beautiful smile. It is not only limited to aesthetics. A deep bite can be a concern for your oral health and should be properly treated.
- It affects your facial features. You would not want to smile in front of people for the fear of them taking a look at your protruding teeth.
- You are most likely to develop a lisp as an open bite causes speech defects because of the misalignment of teeth.
- It can stop you from eating your desired food. You will find it difficult to tear food or chew it because of the misalignment of your front and back teeth.
- It can result in tooth decay and gum diseases. The reason behind this is the bad oral hygiene caused by the misalignment of teeth.
- Everything aside, the biggest damage it can cause is to your personality. It destroys your confidence as you shy away from opening your mouth in front of people.
Treatment
For an open bite, extrusion of the teeth of both upper and lower arches might need to be performed. Your doctor will recommend the finest treatment plan depending on the severity of your case.
OrthoPath Clear Aligners can come in handy as well as they pull the teeth back and align them into the right position. Moreover, an appliance known as a bite block can be placed on the two back molars which then moves the teeth back into proper alignment.
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