Correction of an open bite

We tell you what an open bite is and show examples of treatment

We use the most effective devices and advanced bite correction techniques

Treatment time — from 8 months

Open bite — is a type of malocclusion in which the upper and lower teeth do not partially close together anteriorly or laterally. In the closed state, a gap is formed between the teeth, which prevents normal biting and chewing of food, sometimes does not allow you to fully close your lips. Open bite is most common in children under one year of age. With age, the probability of acquiring the anomaly decreases.

Signs of an open bite

The intraoral sign of an open bite — is the lack of contact between the upper and lower teeth when attempting to clench. The tooth rows may be narrow and the malocclusion is accompanied by crowding. Sometimes this bite is characterized by elongation of the lateral teeth. The teeth try to close despite the abnormality, as this is their natural position, and are therefore elongated.

An open bite can often be identified by the face: the lower third is enlarged and the nasolabial folds are smoothed. The mouth may be slightly open because the lips cannot close, and when closed, the lips are tense. Also, patients with an open bite may have an enlarged tongue. An open bite also affects speech and diction: the owner of such an occlusion may whisper or not pronounce certain sounds. However, in adulthood, a person usually adapts, so diction problems are not necessarily a sign of an open bite.

Types of open bite

An open bite is classified according to its position in the oral cavity: anterior when the frontal teeth do not close, and lateral. The lateral open bite can be unilateral or bilateral.

Open bite in the anterior region

Open bite in the lateral part

According to the causes of occurrence, they distinguish between rickety (true) and traumatic (false) open bite.

A rachitic open bite is the result of improper growth and development of the jaws and dental tissues: they are deformed due to a lack of essential minerals. This form of occlusion is less correctable and may require surgical intervention.

Traumatic open bite is caused by bad habits (putting objects or tongue between teeth), early loss of milk teeth, tilting the head while sleeping.

Causes of an open bite

A child may be born already with an improper bite caused by heredity or diseases of the mother, or may acquire it as a consequence of childhood illnesses or bad habits. The main causes of malocclusion are:

Diseases and mineral deficiencies: rickets, metabolic disorders affect the development of the maxillary system. Bones and tissues do not receive the necessary “building material”, are deformed and grow incorrectly.
Respiratory diseases: rhinitis, sinusitis, adenoids interfere with natural nasal breathing. While the child breathes through his mouth, his mouth is constantly ajar, and a tongue is laid between his teeth. With regular oral breathing, this position of the teeth and tongue is fixed, forming a gap between the front teeth.
Bad habits: constant sucking of pacifiers, fingers, toys prevents teeth from closing on each other. The teeth close on a foreign object and remain in the wrong position.
A shortened frenulum of the tongue.
Increased language size.
Infantile swallowing — a swallowing mechanism in children under two years of age in which the tongue is positioned between the gums. If this type of swallowing does not change to somatic swallowing, the incorrect tongue position prevents normal tooth growth.

Consequences of an open bite

Any malocclusion affects the aesthetics of the smile and face and the functionality of the dento-mandibular system.

Open bite affects the aesthetics of the smile and face and the functionality of the dento-alveolar system.

The aesthetic problems of an open bite — are a gap between teeth, misshapen lips, facial disproportion — enlargement of the lower third, surprised expression.

Open bite — a gap between teeth, misshapen lips, facial disproportion — enlarged lower third, surprised expression.

In open occlusion, some of the teeth do not fulfill their direct function – biting and chewing food. The teeth, which bear all the chewing load, deteriorate and wear down faster. At the same time, the entire digestive system suffers due to poor quality chewing. Uneven pressure on the teeth causes periodontal disease: bleeding gums, inflammation and can lead to early tooth loss.

Treatment of open bite in children

At an early age, it is important to eliminate the causes of the open bite in order to correct it. To wean the child off the bad habits of putting the tongue or objects between the teeth, devices are used to fix the tongue in the correct position: an orthodontic pacifier, a plate with a tongue barrier.

It is also important to restore nasal breathing and proper muscle function.

It is also important to restore nasal breathing and proper muscle function. For this purpose, myofunctional trainers are used. In case of respiratory diseases, consultation and treatment with an otolaryngologist is necessary. In addition to the devices, myogymnastics — a set of exercises to be performed regularly is prescribed to correct muscle function.

Correction of the bite is carried out with removable appliances (Herbst appliance, Frenkel appliance, Klamt activator), which are selected by an orthodontist.

Treatment of open bite in adults

In adults, braces or eliners are used to correct an open bite. To get the desired result, the patient and the doctor need to cooperate: the doctor monitors the progress of treatment, activates the appliances, and the patient must clearly follow the recommendations — follow the schedule of activations and wear elastic bands. In addition to installing the devices, the doctor may prescribe exercises for normal muscle function and correct tongue position. For some patients, buttons are placed on the inside of the teeth to prevent the tongue from resting on the front teeth and contributing to their displacement.

Treatment with orthodontic appliances usually lasts 1.5-2.5 years, depending on the complexity of the case. After removal of braces, a long retention period is necessary — wearing fixed retainers and night caps to fix the result. Sometimes an open bite in the lateral areas can be corrected with dentures — placing onlays on the teeth for proper alignment.

Surgical treatment of an open bite

In cases where the installation of braces does not help to completely correct the malocclusion, surgical surgery may be required to correct the jaw. Before surgical correction, braces will need to be installed in order for the teeth to take the correct position.

Prevention of an open bite

To avoid the formation of an open bite in a child, it is necessary to observe not only the growth of teeth, but also the healthy development of the body as a whole.

To introduce solid food into the diet to normalize the function of chewing.
Monitor the quality of food: it should contain enough vitamins and minerals for the normal development of the body.
To monitor the health of the respiratory system, during the treatment of diseases, in order to prevent oral breathing.
Wean you from bad habits, including with the help of special orthodontic devices.