Open Bite
An open bite is one dental disorder that is more often than not caused by the patient himself. The basic issue is that the front teeth, both upper and lower are forced outwards to an extent that the teeth of the upper and the lower jaw do not touch each other, even when the mouth is closed. This has several effects.
First, and most prominently, the patient's smile is adversely affected. Often this results in loss of self esteem. The patient could also develop a lisp which, though cute when he is a child, is not so attractive in later years.
What Causes an Open Bite?
Essentially, the problem is caused by any action by the patient which puts a strain on the alignment of the teeth, especially when the patient is young. Prominent culprits in this regard are thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and chewing on a pencil or some similar object.
Prolonged and incorrect use of feeding bottles and pacifiers could also contribute to the development of the condition.
Any of the habits discussed above could cause the front teeth to flare out. Since the jaw is still developing, the teeth become misaligned.
Yet another reason for this condition could be a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) where the patient suffers from chronic pain in the jaw and uses his tongue to push the teeth apart so that his jaw can be in a more comfortable position.
Quite often, if you consult a doctor for frequent headaches and sensitive teeth, she will check you out for an open bite and temporomandibular joint disorder as well.
Correcting Open Bites
With today's technology, we often close open bites with Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign is the most ideal tool for closing an anterior open bite becasue of the vertical control it provides.
If the anterior open bite is caused by a tongue thrust or a habit such as thumb sucking), the open bite can revert. If the open bite is due to natural development, the correction can be quite stable. Generally, because of the flexibility of the bone, Anteior Open Bite is best corrected early. With our most current technology we are able to correct open bites in most adults using only Invisalign and rubber bands (and avoid jaw surgery)
The best cure is to prevent the open bite from occurring in the first place. You can gently eliminate thumb sucking and reduce the dependence on the pacifier. If the treatment is delayed, the patient may end up with poor speech and an unattractive smile.
For a complimentary examination appointment to see if you have a dental alignment problem and what treatment would be right for you, please contact us online or call 650-961-5047.
We'll answer any questions you may have, and give you a free written estimate regarding costs and insurance benefits before you leave.
Dr. Ashouri
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©2006 Nahal Ashouri DDS MS
Nahal Ashouri, DDS, MS
Braces & Invisalign
505 South Drive, Suite 8
Mountain View, CA 94040
Phone: (650) 961-5047
Fax: (650) 961-0624
fantasticortho@gmail.com
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