It’s nice to be open-minded, but you don’t want your bite to be that way! An open bite is a type of orthodontic malocclusion, or “bad bite,” that requires orthodontic treatment.

When you have an open bite, not all of the upper and lower teeth touch when your mouth is closed. If you have this condition, there’s an opening between the rows of your teeth as you close your jaw. An open bite affects your smile and your general appearance. It can also affect the way you speak, which can lead to speech problems.

Pacifier or thumb sucking, imbalance of the jaws, tongue thrusting and TMJ disorder, primarily contribute to an open bite. In some cases, children develop an opening in their bite when they have a mix of permanent and baby teeth. But this is not necessarily a concern and generally temporary.

According to the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, treating an open bite can be more challenging than treating other types of malocclusions. However, there are many treatments available to treat an open bite. Treatment recommendations for an open bite, may be based on the severity of your condition and your age, and whether you have primary or permanent teeth. Treatment methods for open bite may include behaviour modification, orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces, or in severe cases jaw surgery.

To learn more about “open bite” and its treatment, you can consult our orthodontic team at York Mills Orthodontics in Toronto.

-The York Mills Orthodontics Team