In a healthy bite, the upper and lower front teeth meet — or come close to it — when the back teeth are together. With an open bite, there's a visible gap between the upper and lower front teeth even when biting down fully. It can also occur on the sides of the mouth, called a posterior open bite, though that's less common.
What causes an open bite?
Why it's worth addressing
An open bite makes it harder to bite into food with the front teeth, which changes how people chew and can affect speech — a lisp or difficulty with certain sounds is common. Because open bites are frequently driven by an ongoing habit or muscle pattern, treating the teeth alone without addressing the underlying cause often leads to relapse.
If mouth breathing or airway restriction appears to be a contributing factor, we'll flag that clearly — it's worth evaluating alongside the bite itself.
Treatment options
Habit Correction (Children)
Appliances designed to discourage thumb-sucking or tongue-thrust habits can resolve an open bite in growing children before it becomes more established.
About early treatment →Braces or Aligners with Elastics
For teens and adults, targeted tooth movement — often combined with elastics — can close an open bite by bringing the front teeth into contact.
About clear aligners →Airway Evaluation
When mouth breathing or airway concerns appear connected to an open bite, we evaluate this as part of the full picture — because treating the teeth without addressing airway can limit long-term stability.
About airway & sleep →Myofunctional therapy
For open bites driven by a tongue-thrust habit, we sometimes recommend myofunctional therapy alongside orthodontic treatment — targeted exercises that retrain tongue posture and swallowing patterns. Addressing the habit is often the difference between a lasting result and a relapse.
Common questions about open bites
Will my child's open bite close on its own once they stop sucking their thumb?
Sometimes, if the habit stops early enough and the bite hasn't fully settled into the open position. In many cases, though, some orthodontic support is needed to fully close the gap even after the habit itself has stopped.
Why does my open bite keep coming back after treatment?
Open bites relapse most often when an underlying habit — commonly a tongue thrust — wasn't addressed alongside the tooth movement. We look for this specifically and, when present, recommend addressing it directly to protect your result.
Is an open bite related to how I breathe?
It can be. Chronic mouth breathing and airway restriction can influence tongue posture and jaw development in ways that contribute to an open bite, particularly in children. We evaluate airway as part of a comprehensive exam.
Can adults get an open bite corrected?
Yes. Adult open bites are treated with braces or aligners, often using elastics to help bring the front teeth into contact. More significant skeletal open bites in adults occasionally require coordination with a jaw surgeon.
Let's find out what's really behind your open bite.
Whether it's a habit, tongue posture, or jaw growth, come in at your scheduled time and we'll get you a clear answer and a realistic plan.
Book a Smile Consultation