Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
Dentistry
General
Malocclusion
Cosmetic
In this article
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. This leaves 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.
Causes of 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:
Manufactured by Align Technology, Invisalign is the leading in-office clear aligner brand. Since 1998, almost 11 million people have used Invisalign.7
Invisalign aligners provide several advantages over traditional metal braces.
Advantages include:
Invisalign treatment starts with an initial consultation at a dentist’s or orthodontist's office.
There, they will digitally scan your mouth and bite. An experienced orthodontist will then design an aligner to fit your mouth.
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
Align Technology claims this material makes Invisalign treatment 50% faster and 75% more accurate than other clear aligners. They also claim it helps make Invisalign more comfortable and durable.
You should wear your Invisalign aligners for 22+ hours a day for about two weeks at a time.5 During this time, the aligners will move your teeth between 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters.5
There are certain kinds of open bites Invisalign can and can’t correct.
Invisalign treatment is best for mild to moderate cases of anterior open bite. Anterior open bites occur when the incisors (front teeth) of the upper and lower jaws don’t overlap when the jaw is closed.4
More complicated open bites, however, are not ideal for Invisalign. These include:
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
The time it takes to correct an open bite with Invisalign depends on the severity of the case.
For adults with moderate open bites (about 2 to 3mm), it takes between 18 to 24 months.2 For children and teenagers with moderate open bites, Invisalign treatment can take 12 to 18 months.2
Those with open bites of more than 4mm 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.
Depending on the severity of the open bite, as well as where you live and where you go for treatment, Invisalign treatment can cost between $3,000 to $8,000.
The pros of using Invisalign for open bites include:
Cons of Invisalign include:
ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:
In the hands of an experienced orthodontist, Invisalign can sometimes correct open bites. For more difficult cases, other treatment options might be better:
Those with posterior open bite or severe cases of 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.
Surgery is typically more common for children whose teeth and jaws are no longer developing.
There are various kinds of orthognathic surgery. Cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the type.
Without treatment, open bites cause a variety of problems, including:
The good news is, most cases of open bite can be fixed. Invisalign, braces, and surgery are different options. Correcting an open bite can lead to a better smile, higher self-esteem, and improved oral health.
In this article
New Year Special: $100 off aligners + BrightByte Pro
