Crooked teeth or a poor bite can turn your smile into a frown. An uneven smile will affect not only your confidence and how you feel but your oral health too. An open bite, for example, can cause tooth decay, difficulties and pain when biting and chewing, gum disease, tooth loss, and so on.
If you’ve been postponing fixing your open bite because you’re too self-conscious about wearing metal braces, then you may be excited about the prospect of getting clear aligners in Dacula.
But can clear aligners help you fix your open bite?
Let’s find out!
What Is an Open Bite?
In the case of an open bite, your upper teeth do not make contact with the lower teeth when you close your mouth. An open bite can occur in the front or back teeth. Simply put, if your jaw is closed, but there is no contact, you might have an open bite.
A correct bite means that the upper teeth connect with the lower ones all the way across, and the upper teeth overlap the lower ones slightly.
Why Fix an Open Bite?
An open bite may not seem like a big issue, and you may be tempted to postpone or avoid treating it altogether. But, in time, this malocclusion can impact your oral and general health in numerous ways:
- Poor sleep
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Wear and tear
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth loss
- Speech issues
- Low self-esteem
Can Clear Aligners Fix an Open Bite?
More and more people are turning to clear aligners as they provide a more discreet and comfortable orthodontic treatment. The problem with clear aligners is that they aren’t as effective as traditional braces and can’t treat all misalignments.
However, it’s been shown that clear aligners can generally help fix an open bite. Of course, the success and effectiveness of the treatment will depend on the severity of your open bite.
If your dentist determines that clear aligners are good for you, they will give you a set of transparent trays that you will need to wear for 22 hours every day. The trays apply pressure on your teeth and jaw, forcing them to move into their correct position. As the treatment progresses, your dentist will change the trays with new ones that will put even more pressure on your teeth.
Depending on how severe the open bite is, the treatment can last from 4 months up to 18 months.
Do You Want to Correct Your Open Bite?
If you are interested in getting clear aligners to fix your open bite or other teeth alignment issues, come and visit us at Auburn Hills Family Dentistry.
Dr. Josh Haycock always strives to provide quality services to all his patients in a trusting and comfortable environment.
Get in touch with us if you want to schedule an appointment, and let us know how we can help.
