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Invisalign clear aligner treatment can correct an open bite, depending on its type and severity.
An open bite is a type of malocclusion or bite alignment issue involving the top and bottom sets of teeth. The teeth don’t fit together neatly when the jaw is closed, leaving a space between them.
Open bites can negatively affect your speech and oral health. They also make it more difficult to chew certain foods such as apples.
Invisalign treatment is best for mild to moderate cases of anterior open bites. Anterior open bites occur when the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws don’t overlap when the jaw is closed.5
More complicated open bites, however, are not ideal for Invisalign. These include:
Causes of an open bite include:
Invisalign clear aligners slowly move your teeth into their correct positions. This eliminates the spaces that lead to open bites.
ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:
Invisalign treats an open bite by steadily applying pressure to your teeth. The constant force will fix the misalignment causing the open bite.
Invisalign is the leading in-office clear aligner brand. They provide several advantages over traditional metal braces, including:
These are the general steps of Invisalign treatment:
Invisalign clear aligners are made from polyurethane resin, a special type of flexible plastic. Referred to as SmartTrack, this material is FDA-approved for medical use and free of toxins like BPS and BPA.1
The time it takes to correct an open bite with Invisalign depends on the severity of the case.
Adults with moderate open bites may need to wait anywhere between 18 to 24 months to see the final results. For children and teenagers, it can take 12 to 18 months.2
Those with more severe open bites require more advanced treatment. These cases may take between 24 to 28 months or longer.2
Ultimately, each case is different. Speak to your dentist or orthodontist for more detailed information on how long Invisalign treatment may take.
Read more information on Invisalign treatment time here.
Invisalign treatment can cost between $3,000 to $8,000. This depends on the severity of the open bite, as well as where you live and where you go for treatment.
Without treatment, open bites cause a variety of problems, including:
Fortunately, most cases of an open bite can be fixed. Correcting an open bite can lead to a better smile, higher self-esteem, and improved oral health.
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
The pros of using Invisalign for open bites include:
Cons of Invisalign include:
In the hands of an experienced orthodontist, Invisalign can correct open bites. For more difficult cases, other treatment options might be better:
Those with a posterior open bite or severe cases of an anterior open bite may benefit from braces. Treatment also sometimes involves orthodontic headgear and behavior modification (in cases of tongue thrusting, for example).
There are several varieties of braces, including metal, clear, and lingual braces. Depending on which kind of braces you have, the cost can range between $3,000 to $10,000.
When an open bite is due to skeletal problems, an orthodontist may recommend orthognathic or jaw surgery as a last resort.
This surgery involves removing a section of the upper jaw to realign the jawbones. The surgeon will then use plates and screws to secure the jaws in the correct position.
There are various kinds of orthognathic surgery. Cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the type.
ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:
Invisalign can treat moderate anterior (front) open bites. If the case is more severe, you may be better suited for braces or surgery.
Invisalign can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Treatment time can take 18 to 24 months to finish for moderate open bite cases.
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