Open bite is a condition where there is little or no contact between anterior or posterior teeth. Although, an open bite is one of the most commonly found malocclusion dental concerns; it can either be skeletal or dental. A dental bite can be corrected with braces, Occlusal rehabilitation, or with myofunctional appliances. A Skeletal bite may require Orthognathic surgical intervention.
An open bite is a type of malocclusion, or “bad bite,” in which the upper and lower teeth do not overlap properly when the jaw is closed. This can leave a gap between the top and bottom rows of teeth, even when the mouth is closed. Open bites can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and certain medical conditions.
What is an Open Bite?
An open bite is a state in which there is not much contact between the anterior or posterior teeth. It happens when either of the teeth may have more than 1/2 of the gap between them. This is a common malocclusion in individuals of European or South Asian descent. According to various estimates, approximately 15% of the population is affected by an open bite.
Open Bite and Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the fixation and restoration of permanent teeth. It is popularly termed as an orthodontic treatment option for partial or complete malocclusions which causes tooth sensitivity, crowding, a bad bite, or clicking in the individuals.
However, modern Orthodontic treatment options have provided an improved approach by replacing the entire lower set of teeth with a retainer and aligning the teeth. And the patients may avoid the problems that may cause them at the time of bite correction. The important factor for Inconsistency in the bite may be due to the movement of mandibular teeth with occlusion or skeletal deformity.
What are the Causes of an Open Bite?
- Thumb or pacifier sucking can strain the alignment of teeth.
- Tongue thrusting occurs when a person speaks or swallows and pushes their tongue between their upper and lower front teeth.
- TMJ disorders cause chronic jaw pain which makes the tongue push their teeth apart and comfortably reposition their jaw.
Skeletal problems such as opposing teeth growing parallel to each other (mainly influenced by genetics).
Open Bite and Myofunctional Appliances
Myofunctional appliances help an individual eat food without facing any obstacles. These appliances are fixed on the lateral malocclusion side; so as to provide grip and neutralize abnormal bite positions which may hamper normal chewing. Hence they are more used in occlusal rehabilitation. The chief function of myofunctional appliances is to provide bite relief without having to undergo orthognathic surgery. It also provides visual cues that help the patient to keep the teeth upright and achieve the optimal balance between the upright teeth and the lateral malocclusion.
How to Fix Open Bite
There are a number of different ways to fix an open bite, depending on the severity of the malocclusion and the underlying cause. The most common treatments for open bite include:
- Braces: Braces are the most common treatment for open bite. Braces are used to gradually move the teeth into the correct position.
- Invisalign: Invisalign is a clear aligner system that can be used to treat mild to moderate open bites. Invisalign is a good option for patients who are self-conscious about wearing braces.
- Surgery: Surgery may be necessary in severe cases of open bite. Surgery can be used to reposition the jawbone or to remove excess bone tissue.
Why Treating an Open Bite is Important?
➜ A person with this issue may be unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and lack confidence in social gatherings.
➟ Eating is a major concern for open bites as it prevents you from properly biting and chewing on food.
➜ As the back teeth are coming together more often, the wear and tear can lead to discomfort and other dental problems including fractured teeth.
➟ An open bite can interfere with speech and pronunciation leading to verbal defects. People may develop lisping.
Types of Open Bites
An anterior open bite occurs when the front teeth in the lower and upper jaws fail to overlap on a completed bite. This condition mostly affects all the front teeth. Most patients with this condition will mostly need open bite corrective treatments.
The posterior Open Bite is the opposite of the anterior open bite. This occurs when you have teeth not touching the back. During biting, the teeth at the back do not touch the lower ones. Most patients with this condition will mostly need cosmetic treatments.
Occlusal Rehabilitation for Open Bite Correction
Occlusal rehabilitation is one of the most common treatment options for open bite correction. It is the selective grinding of teeth for adjusting occlusion. And for efficient chewing of food without hampering the masticatory function of an individual. According to BULL’s law, the upper of buccal and lingual of lower cusps. The functional cusps are to be spared during occlusal grinding. Hence non-functional cusps are ground in order to correct mild cases of open bites.
Avoiding decay is one of the biggest challenges of a dentist. So to maintain a healthy lifestyle, oral health maintenance is of utmost importance. Most of the dental problems are caused due to poor oral hygiene. Dental plaque, dry mouth, bacterial infection, etc. So how to improve oral hygiene? The only solution is mouthwashing as it is the best method to ensure that you take care of your oral health.
As per Dr. Chirag Chamria, Oral and maxillofacial Surgeon at Royal Dental Clinics, “For us, excellence is our constant pursuit. Patients want immediate results & are no longer ready to hold back for days to restore their smile. We strive for nothing less than the mastery of this medium in which we have chosen to craft.” An open bite is treatable at any age, but it’s much easier and less painful to treat when adult teeth aren’t fully grown in.
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Issued in public interest
A dental bite can be corrected with braces.