Open Bite

An open bite is a common orthodontic condition where the upper and lower teeth do not come together when the mouth is closed, leaving a visible gap. This type of misalignment can affect the front teeth, the back teeth, or both, and it can have a noticeable impact on everyday activities such as biting into food and speaking clearly.

If you have been wondering what is an open bite or whether your bite alignment needs attention, understanding the condition is an important first step. Open bites are treatable at any age, and modern orthodontic approaches offer effective solutions for a wide range of severities.

This guide explains the different types of open bite, what causes them, the symptoms to look out for, and the full range of treatment and correction options available — from braces and clear aligners to surgical intervention for more complex cases.

What Is an Open Bite?

In a healthy, well-aligned bite, the upper and lower teeth meet evenly when the jaw is closed. Each tooth contacts its opposite counterpart, allowing for efficient chewing and comfortable jaw function. An open bite disrupts this relationship.

When someone has an open bite, there is a gap between the upper and lower teeth even when the jaw is fully closed. This means certain teeth do not make contact at all, which places extra strain on the teeth that do meet and can lead to a range of functional issues over time.

Open bite orthodontics focuses on closing this gap and restoring a balanced, functional bite. Understanding how to fix open bite starts with identifying the type and underlying cause, which determines the most effective treatment approach.

Types of Open Bite

Anterior Open Bite

An anterior open bite is the most common type. It occurs when the front teeth do not meet when the jaw is closed, while the back teeth may come together normally. This creates a visible gap at the front of the mouth that is often noticeable when smiling.

Anterior open bites can make it difficult to bite into food using the front teeth. Patients often compensate by tearing food with the side teeth instead. This type can also affect speech, particularly sounds that require the tongue to contact the upper front teeth.

Posterior Open Bite

A posterior open bite is less common and occurs when the back teeth do not meet when the jaw is closed. The front teeth may come together normally, but there is a gap at the sides or back of the mouth.

Posterior open bites can significantly affect chewing efficiency, as the back teeth are responsible for grinding food. This type of open bite may also lead to excessive strain on the front teeth, which are not designed to handle heavy chewing forces.

Open Bite Causes

Open bites develop for a variety of reasons. In many cases, more than one factor contributes to the condition. Understanding the underlying open bite causes helps guide the most effective treatment.

• Thumb sucking – Prolonged thumb sucking during childhood places outward pressure on the front teeth, pushing them apart and preventing them from meeting properly as the jaw develops
• Prolonged dummy use – Extended use of a dummy or pacifier beyond the recommended age can have a similar effect to thumb sucking, altering the position of the front teeth and the shape of the developing palate
• Tongue thrusting – A habit where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing or speaking, applying persistent force that can push the front teeth apart over time
• Jaw growth imbalance – When the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates or in different directions, the teeth may not align properly, resulting in a skeletal open bite
• Genetics – A family history of open bite or jaw discrepancies increases the likelihood of the condition developing. Skeletal open bite often has a strong genetic component that affects the direction of jaw growth

Symptoms of an Open Bite

The symptoms of an open bite can range from mild to severe, depending on the size of the gap and the number of teeth affected. Some patients may not notice any issues initially, while others experience noticeable difficulty with everyday activities.

• Difficulty biting food – The most common symptom of an anterior open bite is the inability to bite into food with the front teeth, making eating sandwiches, apples, and similar foods challenging
• Speech difficulties – An open bite can affect the way certain sounds are produced, particularly “s” and “th” sounds, potentially causing a lisp or unclear speech
• Jaw strain and discomfort – The teeth that do make contact bear extra force, which can lead to jaw muscle fatigue, tension, and discomfort, particularly during and after meals
• Chewing discomfort – With fewer teeth making contact, chewing efficiency is reduced, and patients may find it tiring or uncomfortable to eat certain foods
• Visible gap when smiling – In more severe open bite cases, the gap between the upper and lower teeth is clearly visible, which can affect confidence in social situations

Why Treat an Open Bite?

While an open bite may seem manageable in the short term, leaving it untreated can lead to a range of complications that become progressively harder to address. Open bite correction is not purely cosmetic — it is often essential for long-term dental health and function.

• Functional issues – Difficulty biting and chewing can worsen over time, affecting nutrition and overall quality of life
• Accelerated tooth wear – The teeth that do make contact bear disproportionate force, leading to premature wear, chipping, and potential fractures
• Jaw problems – Chronic strain on the jaw joints and muscles can contribute to TMJ discomfort, clicking, and tension headaches
• Long-term complications – A severe open bite left untreated can lead to increasingly complex dental problems, making future treatment more involved and more costly

Addressing an open bite at the right time — whether through braces, aligners, or a combined approach — can protect your teeth, improve your bite function, and prevent further complications from developing.

Diagnosis and Assessment

Diagnosing an open bite involves a thorough clinical examination of your teeth, bite, and jaw. Your dentist will assess how your upper and lower teeth meet — or fail to meet — when your jaw is fully closed.

The assessment typically includes:

• Clinical bite evaluation – Observing the position of the teeth when you bite down naturally to identify where gaps exist and how many teeth are affected
• Measurement of tooth separation – Assessing the size of the vertical gap between the upper and lower teeth to determine the severity of the open bite
• Jaw alignment assessment – Evaluating the relationship between the upper and lower jaws to determine whether the open bite is dental (caused by tooth position) or skeletal (caused by jaw growth)

Accurate diagnosis is essential because the type and cause of the open bite directly influence the treatment approach. A dental open bite may respond well to braces or aligners alone, while a skeletal open bite may require a more comprehensive approach.

Open Bite Treatment Options

The most effective open bite treatment depends on the type, severity, and underlying cause of the condition, as well as the patient's age. A range of proven approaches are available through modern orthodontic treatment, and your dentist will recommend the option best suited to your individual case.

Understanding how to fix open bite effectively starts with a thorough assessment. From there, a personalised open bite correction plan is created to achieve the best possible outcome.

Open Bite Braces

Fixed braces are one of the most effective and commonly used approaches for open bite correction. They use brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire that applies controlled, continuous force to move the teeth into improved positions.

For open bite braces treatment, elastics are frequently used alongside the fixed appliance. These small rubber bands attach to the upper and lower brackets and apply vertical forces that help close the gap between the teeth. Wearing elastics as directed is critical to achieving the desired result.

Open bite orthodontics with fixed braces is suitable for a wide range of cases, from mild anterior open bites to more complex situations involving multiple teeth.

Invisible Braces for Open Bite

Invisible braces and clear aligner systems can be effective for correcting mild to moderate open bites, particularly those caused by dental positioning rather than significant skeletal jaw discrepancies.

Clear aligners work by applying controlled pressure through a series of custom-made removable trays. Each set of trays moves the teeth slightly closer to their target position. For suitable open bite cases, they offer a discreet and comfortable treatment alternative.

Open Bite Surgery

Open bite surgery is typically reserved for severe skeletal open bite cases where the underlying cause is a significant discrepancy in jaw growth that cannot be corrected through orthodontic treatment alone.

Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both to close the open bite and achieve a balanced bite relationship. This is usually combined with orthodontic treatment — braces or aligners are worn before and after the procedure to fine-tune the tooth positions.

Surgery is more commonly considered for adult patients whose jaw growth is complete. It is always a last resort, and your dentist will explore less invasive options first.

Open Bite Before and After

Patients who undergo open bite treatment can expect to see meaningful improvements in how their teeth come together. The most noticeable changes typically include:

• Bite improvement – The gap between the upper and lower teeth closes, allowing proper contact for biting and chewing
• Functional change – Patients often notice a significant improvement in their ability to bite into food properly and chew more comfortably
• Smile balance – Closing the open bite creates a more even, harmonious smile line with improved tooth alignment

Every case is different, and results depend on the type and severity of the open bite as well as the treatment method used. You can view examples of orthodontic improvements in our smile gallery, which features real patient results.

Prevention

While not all open bites can be prevented — particularly those with a strong skeletal or genetic component — there are steps that can reduce the risk of an open bite developing or becoming more severe:

• Early orthodontic assessment – Having a child's bite assessed at an early age allows any developing open bite to be identified and monitored before it progresses
• Managing tongue thrusting – If a tongue thrust habit is identified, exercises and behavioural guidance can help retrain the tongue to rest in the correct position, reducing pressure on the front teeth
• Avoiding prolonged dummy and thumb sucking – Gently discouraging these habits beyond the recommended age can help support healthy jaw and tooth development

When to See a Dentist About an Open Bite

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is worth having your bite assessed by a qualified dental professional:

• Difficulty biting into food with your front teeth
• Speech concerns, such as a lisp or unclear pronunciation
• Jaw discomfort, tension, or fatigue after eating
• A visible gap between your upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth
• A child or teenager showing signs of an open bite developing

At St Paul's Medical & Dental, our experienced GDC-registered dental team offers thorough bite assessments at our private dentist in London practice in the City of London. We will explain your options clearly, answer your questions, and create a personalised treatment plan if needed.

You can view our treatment fees for guidance on costs before your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Bite