Open Bite Treatment Options

Why open bite cause matters for treatment

Open bites may be linked to thumb or finger sucking habits (especially in children), tongue posture or tongue thrust (the tongue pressing between the front teeth during swallowing), prolonged dummy or bottle use in early childhood, growth pattern of the jaws (particularly a vertical skeletal growth tendency), or tooth position resulting from any of the above. Understanding the cause before choosing treatment is essential — treating the bite without addressing an active habit or skeletal pattern risks relapse once retainers are removed.

Types of open bite and treatment complexity

Anterior open bite (between the front teeth) is the most common type, often linked to tongue posture, habits, or vertical skeletal pattern. Posterior open bite (back teeth not meeting, front teeth touching) is rarer and usually skeletal in origin. Dental open bite — where the cause is primarily tooth position rather than jaw relationship — is the most amenable to orthodontic correction. Skeletal open bite — where the jaw bones are significantly divergent — often requires orthognathic (jaw) surgery alongside orthodontic treatment for stable correction in adults.

Possible treatment routes

Braces and aligners can close dental anterior open bites by intruding (moving upward) posterior teeth or extruding (downward) front teeth. Habit management — stopping thumb sucking or changing tongue posture with a myofunctional therapist — may be addressed simultaneously, especially in children. Tongue cribs (a fixed appliance preventing the tongue from resting between the teeth) are used in selected cases. Functional appliances in growing teenagers can sometimes modify vertical jaw growth. Orthognathic surgery is discussed for significant skeletal open bites in adults where orthodontics alone would not hold.

Aligner treatment for open bite: considerations

Clear aligners can treat dental anterior open bites effectively in adults, particularly mild to moderate cases without significant skeletal involvement. Posterior intrusion (pushing back teeth up to allow front teeth to meet) is a movement that aligners can achieve with attachments. However, open bite relapse rates are higher than for other conditions, and tongue posture management is often important alongside orthodontic treatment. For skeletal cases or where tongue thrust is active, aligners alone are unlikely to provide lasting correction.

Open bite in children: early assessment benefits

If an open bite is identified in a child still engaging in thumb sucking or dummy use, addressing the habit at age 6–8 can allow natural improvement of the bite as the permanent teeth erupt. Referral for orthodontic assessment by age 7–8 is reasonable for children with persistent open bite or active habits. Early assessment does not always mean early treatment — it means the clinician can advise on timing and whether habit management alone is sufficient.

Retention after open bite treatment

Open bite cases carry a higher relapse rate than other orthodontic conditions, particularly where tongue posture or skeletal factors played a role. Long-term retention is essential — typically fixed wires behind both upper and lower front teeth plus removable night retainers. Myofunctional therapy to correct tongue posture during and after treatment helps support long-term stability. Patients should be counselled realistically about relapse risk before starting treatment, and retention planning should be part of the treatment discussion from the outset.

Useful related pages

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.