When Your Teeth Don’t Meet in the Middle

An open bite is a type of malocclusion characterised by a gap between your upper and lower teeth when your jaws are fully closed—no biting contact, just space. Imagine trying to bite into a sandwich, but your front teeth never touch, or you see a visible gap in your smile. That’s exactly what life feels like with an open bite: functional challenges and cosmetic concerns that go beyond mere appearance.
At AQR Orthodontics, led by Dr. AQR, we specialise in addressing all types of open bites, from mild dental misalignments to severe skeletal discrepancies. We understand that diagnosing early and planning the correct treatment can restore both your smile and quality of life.
Types of Open Bite
- Anterior Open Bite
- It occurs when the front teeth (incisors) don’t overlap vertically—even when back teeth touch—leaving a gap in the front. This can make it difficult to bite into foods like sandwiches or apples and often results in a visible “gap” when smiling.
- Commonly caused by thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged pacifier use during childhood.
• Posterior Open Bite
- In this case, the back teeth (molars or premolars) fail to make contact, even though the front teeth close fully. This impedes proper chewing and forces front teeth to do extra work, often resulting in uneven wear and jaw strain.
- Causes include delayed eruption or mechanical obstructions during dental development.
• Skeletal vs. Dental Open Bite
- Skeletal Open Bite: Rooted in jaw bone discrepancies, such as vertical overgrowth of jaws, often seen in genetic conditions like “long‑face syndrome”.
- Dental Open Bite: Results from mispositioned teeth rather than bone structure issues—typically caused by habits like tongue thrusting—while the jawbones themselves are normal.
These forms often coexist, and accurate diagnosis is key to choosing the most effective treatment path.
Understanding Why An Open Bite Occurs In The First Place
- Dental Causes
- Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting—persistent habits in early childhood Chronic mouth breathing due to airway issues, leading to tongue posture changes.
- Poor eruption or missing molars may affect bite closure
- Skeletal Causes
- Vertical overdevelopment of one or both jaws creates space between teeth
- Genetic factors that influence jaw growth patterns.
- Trauma or jaw deformities contribute to jaw misalignment.
Understanding what causes your open bite is vital to designing an effective treatment plan.
Early Warning Signs of Open Bite
Spotting an open bite early—especially in kids and teens—allows for simpler, more effective treatment:
- Visible gap when biting, especially between front or back teeth
- Difficulty biting into food, leading to chewing frustration
- Speech problems, such as a lisp or whistling
- Frequent mouth breathing, even at rest
- Gummy smile, excessive gum display when smiling
Early symptoms typically indicate developing skeletal or dental imbalances—solving them early can prevent more invasive measures down the line.
Why Early Treatment Is Essential

- Jaw growth harnessed effectively: Children’s bones are still developing, making early intervention—using appliances like expanders or facemasks—ideal for guiding jaw growth and avoiding future skeletal misalignment.
- Reduces need for surgery: Early correction often eliminates the necessity for invasive procedures such as orthognathic surgery in adulthood.
- Shortens treatment time and lowers complexity: Treating early simplifies orthodontic care, resulting in shorter, less intensive treatment and reduced costs.
- Prevents dental and functional problems: Early intervention can protect against issues like uneven tooth wear, TMJ disorders, speech impediments, and chewing difficulties.
Implications of Untreated Open Bite
- Dental Consequences
- Uneven pressure causes premature wear, chipping, and fractures
- Increases the risk of cavities and gum disease due to cleaning difficulties around misaligned teeth.
- Functional Downsides
- Chewing and biting difficulties, especially with front or back teeth.
- Speech issues, including lisping and unclear sounds.
- Increased stress on jaw muscles and joints, leading to TMJ pain and headaches
- Aesthetic and Psychological Strain
- A noticeable gap can be socially embarrassing, leading to self-consciousness, anxiety, or lowered self-esteem.
- Difficulty smiling or speaking openly may impact social and personal relationships.
In short, untreated open bite affects more than just your dental alignment—it affects your everyday life and emotional well-being.
Treatment Options: From Early Intervention to Surgery
- Early Preventive & Habit-Management
- Targeted therapies like palatal cribs, tongue cribs, or habit appliances help stop thumb sucking and tongue thrusting.
- Simple, removable devices are effective when used early during the mixed-dentition phase.
- Growth Modification / Functional Appliances
- Appliances like bite blocks, FR-4, and posterior occlusal build-ups help balance jaw growth
- Extraoral headgear (high-pull) may also be used to control vertical growth in growing children.
- Mild open bite (dental origin) can be closed using traditional braces with elastics or TADs (mini-implants).
- Clear aligners have proven effective via selective intrusion of back teeth and extrusion of front teeth
- Treatment may take 12–24 months, depending on severity.
- Orthodontic + Surgical Approach
For severe and skeletal open bites, the only long-lasting solution may be surgery:
- Le Fort I: upper jaw repositioning
- BSSO + Genioplasty: lower jaw movement plus chin reshaping
- Often done after pre-surgical orthodontics, followed by refinement post-surgery.
- Permanent results and dramatic improvement in function and appearance.
Cutting-Edge Techniques at AQR Orthodontics
At AQR Orthodontics, led by Dr. AQR, we offer a full spectrum of modern open bite solutions—from preventive plans for youngsters to orthognathic surgery in Dubai for adults.
Our approach includes
- Comprehensive diagnostics—digital 3D scans, cephalometric X-rays, clinical landscape
- Customised treatment planning based on your anatomy and goals
- Coordinated care with oral surgeons for combined approaches
- Transparent guidance on treatment duration, cost, and post-treatment retainers
Whether you need open bite treatment in Dubai using aligners, braces, or surgery, we have a solution that fits your lifestyle and needs.
Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Function, Confidence, and Health
Open bite—whether mild or severe—affects more than just how you look. It impacts your ability to bite, chew, speak, and even feel confident. But here’s the good news: There is a solution for every type of open bite, at any age.
- Early detection and intervention can prevent lifelong complications and cut down treatment complexity.
- Modern treatment options range from simple habit appliances to advanced aligners and surgical corrections.
- With expert guidance from AQR Orthodontics in Dubai, under Dr. AQR, you’re choosing a path toward comfort, aesthetics, and long-term oral health.
If you’ve noticed a gap when biting, difficulty chewing, or any early signs mentioned, don’t wait. Consult with us today for a personalized assessment and treatment plan that puts you on the path to a fully functional, confident smile.
Book a consultation at AQR Orthodontics—your journey to closing the gap and opening a better life begins now.