Openbite
Open bite occurs when the upper and lower back teeth are in contact but the upper and lower front teeth are not, creating a gap. This is the anterior open bite. It is possible to have the front teeth meet when the back teeth are unable to occlude and this is called a posterior open bite. Either of these serious conditions is likely to be due to inadequate vertical growth of the jaw bones, or by oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrust. The timing of treatment is critical to its overall success. The treatment should begin as early as possible before the oral habits become ingrained.
© 2008 Pourami Orthodontics. All Rights Reserved.
An open bite can cause:
- Difficulty in chewing (may lead to indigestion)
- Speech problems
- Loss of bone surrounding the teeth
- Unattractive smile
