Common
Before & After
Open Bite
Your front teeth don't meet when you close your mouth.
What Is It?
An open bite means there's a visible gap between your upper and lower front teeth even when your back teeth are touching. Food can't be bitten through cleanly.
Signs to Look For
- Gap visible between front teeth when mouth is closed
- Difficulty biting into food like sandwiches or apples
- Possible lisp or speech difficulty
- Tongue tends to push forward between the teeth
What Causes It?
Often caused by prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrusting. Can also be genetic.
How We Fix It
Braces or Invisalign move the front teeth into a closed position. Tongue habit appliances may also be used if tongue thrusting is a factor.
Typically 18–24 months