What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign avoids the need for fixed braces by using clear aligner technology instead. The fully removable aligners can correct various problems, including open bites. Because you can remove the aligners, the impact on everyday life is minimal.
Treatment can easily fit into any busy lifestyle, making it one of the most convenient types of orthodontic care.
This article looks more closely at open bites, what causes them, and the problems that could arise if you don’t fix an open bite. Brooklyn Invisalign Center also explain how Invisalign can help and what to expect during treatment.
What Is an Open Bite?
An open bite occurs if your teeth are improperly aligned and is a form of malocclusion or a poor bite. It occurs if your upper front and lower front teeth cannot contact each other when you close your back teeth together. The resulting gap can make you feel self-conscious and can potentially cause oral health problems.
What Can Cause an Open Bite?
Several factors can cause an open bite, including the following.
- Genetics may mean you have inherited your open bite from your parents, and you may notice siblings have the same issue.
- Oral habits can cause open bites to develop, including sucking your thumb or tongue thrusting.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Should I Fix an Open Bite?
You may have noticed certain problems developing if you have an open bite. These could include:
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing food.
- Problems with closing your mouth.
- Poor tooth alignment may cause teeth to wear unevenly.
- You could have difficulty enunciating certain words or have a lisp.
- Problems with your jaw joints, which are called temporomandibular joints.
- Gum or bone loss.
Correcting these problems can help improve self-confidence and self-esteem. Properly chewing food can improve nutrition.
Jaw joint problems or TMJ disorder can be painful, causing these joints to become inflamed. Treating an open bite can relieve these issues.
How Can Invisalign Work for an Open Bite?
An open bite is just one issue that can be corrected with Invisalign. The clear plastic aligners are custom-designed to move your teeth into the proper positions, correcting problems like an open bite so your teeth are properly aligned once you finish treatment.
Each set of aligners is made to place specific teeth under pressure, gently forcing them to move and gradually closing your open bite. Because no brackets or wires are involved, treatment is more comfortable and has minimal impact on your everyday routine. Once treatment is complete, we may recommend teeth retainers to help maintain your new smile.
Invisalign can also be used to treat other types of bite problems beyond open bites.
- Invisalign for Overbite
- Invisalign for Crossbite
- Invisalign for Crowded Teeth
- Invisalign for Underbite
- Invisalign for Gap Teeth
Invisalign Process for Treating Open Bites
The process for treating an open bite with Invisalign is very straightforward and as follows.
- An initial consultation with our Invisalign provider will determine if this treatment is right for you. While Invisalign is effective, open bite correction isn’t always easy. If we determine it can help you, we take a 3-D digital scan of your teeth to create a detailed model of your mouth.
- Invisalign software creates your custom treatment plan based on this digital scan, showing how your teeth move from start to finish.
- You can preview digital images created by the software to see the predicted results, provided you follow the treatment plan carefully.
- When you are happy with the plan, we will create your custom aligners, and you will begin wearing them, using each set for two weeks.
- You must wear the aligners almost all the time. Ideally, we prefer that you remove them for meals and oral care. They must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours daily for effective treatment.
- You discard your current set of aligners every two weeks and begin wearing the next one. The aligners continue to move your teeth, gradually closing your open bite.
- You must return to our dental office every 6 to 8 weeks for a quick checkup. The appointment is to ensure your teeth are moving correctly and as predicted.
How Effective Is Invisalign for Different Types of Open Bites?
Invisalign can successfully treat many open bites, but how well it works depends on what’s causing the problem and where the open bite is located. In general, Invisalign works best when the issue is caused by the position of the teeth rather than the jaw.
By the location of the open bite:
- Anterior (front) open bite: Invisalign is often very effective for mild to moderate cases and is commonly chosen instead of traditional braces.
- Lateral or unilateral open bite: Invisalign can often improve these cases by moving the affected teeth into proper alignment.
- Posterior (back) open bite: These cases are usually more complex and may require additional orthodontic techniques or other treatments along with Invisalign.
By the cause of the open bite:
- Dental open bite: If the open bite is caused by misaligned teeth, Invisalign can often correct it successfully.
- Skeletal open bite: If the problem is caused by the shape or position of the jawbones, Invisalign alone is usually not enough. Treatment may also involve Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs), which are small support screws, or jaw surgery in more severe cases.
The best way to determine whether Invisalign is right for your open bite is through a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation. We’ll examine your teeth, bite, and jaw to recommend the treatment that will provide the best long-term results.
Comparison of Invisalign and Other Orthodontic Appliances
- Invisalign vs Breezy Braces
- Invisalign vs SureSmile
- Invisalign vs Clear Braces
- Invisalign vs Traditional Braces
How Long Will Treatment Take?
The timeline depends on the severity of your open bite. If you only have a mild open bite, you can complete treatment in as little as three months. A more moderate open bite could take up to 18 months to correct.
Benefits of Using Invisalign for an Open Bite
The benefits of choosing Invisalign to correct your open bite include the following.
- Discreet treatment. Once in the mouth, your aligners are virtually invisible, with no brackets or wires.
- Easy oral care.Because the aligners are removable, it’s easy to maintain excellent oral hygiene. You can brush and floss your teeth normally without special tools.
- Custom treatment plan. Your treatment plan is designed especially for you, helping you achieve an optimal outcome by gradually moving your teeth into the correct positions.
- Convenient and comfortable. Treatment is convenient with little impact on your normal routine. The lack of braces and wires ensures the aligners are more comfortable.
Related Articles
- Invisalign FAQ’s
- Invisalign Alternatives
- Invisalign Candidate
- Invisalign for Front Teeth Protrusion
- Invisalign Teeth Straightening
- Invisalign Cost
Invisalign for open bite treatment in Brooklyn can deliver excellent results for mild-to-moderate cases, with predictable, previewable outcomes before treatment even begins. If you’re ready to find out whether Invisalign is the right solution for your bite, our Invisalign specialists in Brooklyn are here to help. Contact Brooklyn Invisalign Center at (718) 375-3757 to schedule your consultation.