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Open Bite (Anterior or Posterior)

What are Open Bites?

An open bite is a type of malocclusion where, when you close your jaws, a gap remains between the upper and lower teeth. It can involve the front teeth (anterior) or back teeth (posterior), and may be due to dental alignment, jaw shape (skeletal), or both. Without treatment, open bites can impact chewing, speech, facial appearance, and oral health. Early detection improves treatment options and long-term stability.

How does it happen?

Thumb or Pacifier Habit

Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use in childhood pushes teeth and jaws out of alignment, contributing to open bite development.

Tongue thrust

Habitual pushing of the tongue against the front teeth during swallowing or rest prevents proper closure of the bite.

Genetic Factors

Inherited jaw size or growth pattern discrepancies (e.g. hyperdivergent facial pattern) can lead to a skeletal open bite.

Airway Issues

Chronic mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction or enlarged adenoids/tonsils affects jaw posture and vertical growth, promoting open bite.

What are its side effects?

Difficulty Chewing

Difficulty Chewing

Food processing is compromised when front or back teeth don’t meet properly.

Speech Impairments

Speech Impairments

Gaps between teeth cause lisps, mispronunciations, or difficulty with certain sounds.

Increased Tooth Wear

Increased Tooth Wear

Overuse of posterior teeth causes excessive wear, enamel loss, and potential damage to both the tooth as well as gums.

Periodontal Issues

Periodontal Issues

Misaligned bite forces strain gums and supporting bone, contributing to recession and gum disease.

TMJ Strain / Jaw Discomfort

TMJ Strain / Jaw Discomfort

Non-ideal bite alignment adds stress to temporomandibular joints, causing pain, clicking, or difficulty opening.

Facial Imbalance

Facial Imbalance

Anterior open bite or long vertical facial growth can alter facial proportions, affecting smile aesthetics and chin/jaw alignment.

How can it be fixed?

Treatment at AQR Orthodontics — Jumeirah, under the care of Dr. Abdul Qadir, depends on age, type, and severity of the crossbite.

Kids (ages ~6–11)

In growing children, treatment focuses on interceptive orthodontics and habit correction. Appliances like tongue cribs, thumb rakes, habit-breaking appliances, palatal expanders, and special bite blocks are used. Behaviour modification (e.g. stopping pacifiers or thumb-sucking) plus myofunctional therapy supports success.

Open Bite Problems

Teens (13-18 yrs)

As growth slows after adolescence, full braces (metal or ceramic) or clear aligners can be used for dental open bites. Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) may help intrude molars or extrude incisors, along with elastics that are used to close the bite. For mild skeletal cases, functional orthopedics may reduce severity.

Adults(18+ yrs)

Adults with skeletal open bite generally require a combined orthodontic-surgical approach (orthognathic surgery) to reposition jaws, followed by braces or aligners to fine-tune tooth alignment. For non-surgical dental open bites, braces, aligners, or TADs may be used, but stability and relapse risk must be carefully managed.

Dr AQR

Why choose AQR Orthodontics in Jumeirah?

Expert Diagnosis

Careful evaluation determines if open bite is skeletal or dental, guiding correct treatment path right from the start.

Digital Planning

We use state-of-the-art scans, virtual simulations, and growth-prediction tools for precision and predictable results.

Customization for All

Whether it’s tongue cribs for children, clear aligners for teens, or surgical integration for adults, treatment is tailored personally.

Stability & Comfort

We design retention protocols and safe surgical/non-surgical plans to minimize relapse, while prioritizing patient experience and comfort throughout.

Ready to correct your open bite? Book a consultation with Dr. AQR and begin your journey toward a balanced bite, better function, and confident smile.

Treatments we offer (bite-focused)

Transforming Smiles with Expert Orthodontist in Jumeirah, Dubai

Blog & patient education

We regularly publish practical guides for Jumeirah families, including pieces like

Ready to fix an Open Bite?

Book a consultation at AQR Orthodontics, Jumeirah (Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2) with Dr. AQR. We’ll assess whether early guidance, aligners/braces, or surgical orthodontics is the most efficient, aesthetic, and stable path for your smile.

  • Call Us: +971 56 882 7870
  • Email Us: info@aqrorthodontics.com

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