Open Bite Skeletal

Patients with open bite skeletal profiles have teeth that only bite at the back (molars and premolars). Anterior open bites are a common feature, where the front teeth cannot overlap at all.

Due to this vertical growth pattern of the face, patients with open bite skeletal profile often have very long and narrow faces. There maybe  a gummy smile and the lips may need to strain to close together.

Care must be taken to evaluate the health of the jaw joints as resorption or changes to the jaw joint may have contributed to the open bite.

Treatment depends on the severity of the jaw discrepancy. It is possible to camouflage or disguise mild to moderate Open Bite jaw profiles with intrusion mechanics using braces, microimplants and/or Invisalign.

Moderate to severe cases will need jaw surgery to correct this problem.