Invisalign Can Be a Solution to Your Open Bite

Invisalign aligners are an effective orthodontic treatment for open bites. Did you know that around 20% of the population doesn’t have an ideal bite? Getting your bite checked by an orthodontist will help resolve any issues you may have. Here’s how Invisalign aligners can be a solution to your open bite.

What does it mean to have an open bite?

An open bite is when your teeth are not aligned well. This is referred to as a malocclusion. If your teeth don’t touch in the front when closing your mouth, or slant outward, you likely have an open bite. Your local orthodontist will be able to confirm this for you.

What is the cause of an open bite?

Sometimes an open bite can be a skeletal problem that’s inherited from a parent. You might notice your siblings have the same issue. Your jaws grow apart, when they should be growing parallel. This results in an open bite. If not inherited, it may have been caused by a few other possibilities. One possibility is thumb sucking. When a person continually sucks on their thumb or an object, this eventually strains the alignment of the teeth, causing open bite. Another possibility is tongue thrusting. When a person pushes their tongue against their upper and lower teeth while talking or swallowing, they are tongue thrusting. This not only can cause an overbite, but it can also potentially cause openings between individual teeth.

Why is it important to fix an open bite?

Perhaps right now you have an open bite, but you don’t feel any major discomfort from it. This might make you wonder why it’s important to fix it. An open bite can eventually lead to complications that are physical and emotional. For example, you may develop problems sleeping, biting or chewing your food properly, and possibly a speech impediment. Emotionally, you could have low self-esteem with your open bite.

How does Invisalign fix your open bite?

The aligners are designed to move your jaw and teeth at a gradual pace until they become correctly positioned. After a careful examination, our orthodontist, Dr. Stoess-Allen, will create Invisalign aligners that are custom made to fit and fix your teeth. You’ll typically wear a pair of aligners for a week, and then switch to a new pair. Our orthodontist also has before and after pictures of other patients who used Invisalign for their open bite. These photos can help you can get an idea of what the correction will look like when your treatment is finished. With the iTero scanner, you can also get a simulated image of your final smile transformation.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

The timeframe of Invisalign treatment varies between person to person. The more severe the misalignment is, the longer it’s going to take. Minor open bites may require as little as six months of treatment. For moderate open bites, it could take as long as 18 months. Our orthodontist will be able to give you a timeline for your treatment after an examination.

Invisalign aligners may be just the treatment you need to fix your open bite. It could all be done within a very short period of time. Consult with our orthodontist about using Invisalign aligners to treat your open bite! We’re able to help you fix this issue without invasive surgery.