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Read articleEverything You Should Know About an Open Bite
One of the most common malocclusions in children and adults is what is known as an open bite. For many of those affected, correcting it makes sense not only from an aesthetic point of view, it can also protect against consequential damage.
Read on to learn what causes an open bite, why it should be treated and which treatment options are available. Dr. Hakim is of course happy to advise you personally. Simply arrange an appointment at our practice for this.
Table of Contents
Why an open bite should be treated
Open bite: the treatment options for children and adults
Does health insurance cover the treatment costs?
Personal consultation and an individual treatment concept
What Is an Open Bite?
An open bite is a malocclusion in which the teeth of the upper and lower jaw do not meet properly, so that a gap remains between them – even when the mouth is closed. Depending on how pronounced the misalignment is, this gap can be larger or smaller. If the front teeth are affected, we speak of an anterior open bite. In the case of the lateral teeth it is a lateral open bite (also: with a gap between the molars in the upper and lower jaw (“posterior open bite”). Depending on the anatomy of the jaw and the arrangement of the teeth, the types of open bite can occur individually or in combination and to varying degrees.
Open Bite: Possible Causes
In general, a distinction is made between a skeletal open bite, which has its cause in the bone structure, and a habitual open bite, which has come about through improper function and improper loading of the teeth.
An open bite at the front teeth can either be genetic or the result of unfavorable habits in childhood. Examples of behaviors that encourage an open bite are thumb sucking, excessively frequent or prolonged sucking on a drinking bottle, or the use of a pacifier beyond the third birthday. A lateral open bite is either genetic or develops through improper function of the jaw and the soft tissue.
Regardless of the causes, an open bite can persist into adulthood and cause health problems over time. To prevent this, malocclusions should be treated as early as possible.
Why an Open Bite Should Be Treated
Left untreated, an open bite can lead to sometimes considerable speech and chewing problems as well as various other complaints and limitations.
With a lateral open bite, the lateral teeth do not meet when chewing. On the one hand this makes chewing itself more difficult, which can result in problems with food intake (all the way to digestion). On the other hand, because the teeth provide no resistance, the chewing force is automatically transferred to the temporomandibular joints. These are worn down heavily by the unnaturally high load and often react with persistent pain.
With an anterior open bite there is a gap between the upper and lower row of teeth, which means that those affected breathe through the mouth more often than through the nose. This can have unpleasant consequences, for example a dry mouth, constant irritation of the throat and an increased susceptibility to tooth decay and respiratory illnesses. Because of the open bite, some people cannot pronounce individual letters properly, because the tongue cannot rest correctly against the teeth, and they lisp for that reason, for instance.
Last but not least, an open bite can also become an aesthetic problem for those affected, which means their self-confidence and sense of well-being suffer.
The Treatment Options for Children and Adults
Depending on the cause and the age, various treatment options are available for correcting an open bite. In very severe cases, often only surgery can help to bring the jaw into the right position. In mild or moderate cases there are alternatives for children and adults to treat the open bite effectively.
Open Bite in Children
The first step in treatment for young children is to stop the unfavorable habits mentioned above. This requires a certain amount of readjustment, but it can lead to the misalignment receding on its own. The prerequisite for this is that it is not yet too pronounced. In some cases, additional measures such as special exercises for the mouth or the facial muscles can support the treatment. For older children, orthodontic treatment is often the method of choice. Depending on whether the child still has baby teeth or already the permanent teeth, we recommend removable or fixed braces in order to guide jaw growth positively.
Open Bite in Adults
In adults, too, an open bite can be corrected with fixed braces. However, many of our adult patients prefer a clear aligner (aligner or Invisalign), because it is less noticeable and the treatment can therefore be carried out discreetly. The aligner is made individually for you and is replaced again and again by a new one during the treatment, as soon as the next milestone is reached.
Unlike fixed braces, aligners are removable. For treatment results that come as quickly and last as long as possible, however, it is important that you wear the aligner as often and as long as possible. Ideally you use it around the clock and take it out only for eating and brushing your teeth, so that you reach a wear time of about 22 hours a day.
Does Health Insurance Cover the Treatment Costs?
Whether the treatment is covered depends primarily on how severe the misalignment is and on the treatment method chosen. From a certain degree of severity onward, statutory health insurance pays for the standard care (for example fixed braces, but not aligners). The degree of severity is expressed in what are known as indication groups (KIG). For adults, the prerequisite for coverage is jaw indication group level 4 including surgery. In this group, the distance between the teeth caused by the open bite is at least 4mm and correcting this misalignment is medically necessary and urgently required. For lower indication groups, statutory health insurance does not pay in adulthood, but some private supplementary dental insurance policies possibly do. Please check with your health insurance provider about this – before treatment begins.
Personal Consultation and an Individual Treatment Concept
An open bite can cause various health complaints and/or disturb your aesthetic sense and thereby considerably affect your quality of life. So that you feel comfortable again and can enjoy life, we offer you a tailored treatment concept at our practice for correcting the misalignment. Based on a thorough preliminary examination and a personal consultation, Dr. Hakim draws up your individual treatment plan, with which we put your wishes into practice.
