An open bite is a type of malocclusion, which means the teeth aren’t aligned properly when the jaws are closed.
Why treat open bite?
The side effects of an open bite range from aesthetic concerns to fractured teeth:
- Aesthetics. A person with an open bite may be unhappy with the appearance of their teeth because they look like they’re sticking out.
- Speech. An open bite can interfere with speech and pronunciation. For example, many people with open bite develop a lisp.
- Eating. An open bite can prevent you from properly biting and chewing food.