Diagnosis:
Anterior open bite is a type of malocclusion or misalignment of teeth. It is when the person bites down all the way, and while the back teeth are touching, the upper and lower front teeth are not touching nor overlapping. This creates an appearance that the person's bite is still open. Usually, the anterior incisors may look protruded due to the lack of space caused the maxillary palate and the dental arches being constricted or narrow. Anterior open bites can be transitory, as the young toddler begins to grow and start losing his/her baby teeth.
Causes:
Anterior open bite is usually caused by the lack of spacing provided by the maxilla and jaws for the teeth to grow in alignment. Rather than having a wide, broad maxillary palate, a narrow and constricted palate will create a smaller dental arch for the teeth to erupt in place. As a result, the anterior teeth will protrude outward.
Thumb sucking, use of pacifier, and tongue thrusting are habits that can cause anterior open bite. These habits can protrude the anterior teeth outward and further prevent the development of the palate and dental arches from expanding, as the child grows. Thus, it is very important to try and break such habits, as the child grows older.
Treatment
Prevention or treating anterior open bites at an early age is much easier and less painful. Breaking the habit that can cause anterior open bite is of high priority and starts with weaning off the pacifier and/or thumb sucking.
To wean a child off a pacifier, you can try using multiple pacifiers with each one you can cut to have a different or shorter teat length. As the teat becomes shorter and shorter, the child will hopefully realize that he/she does not need it anymore. You can also purchase such pacifier sets.
Breaking the habit of thumb sucking is a bit more trickier. You can purchase such tools or wraps where it limits the child's arm movements or thumb to help discourage thumb sucking. As the child gets older, some have tried bitter nail polish that also discourages nail biting or even hot sauce on the thumb.
Sometimes these habits, particularly thumb sucking and tongue thrusting, are very hard to break and require orthodontic appliances that are set in the mouth. Such appliances should be first consulted with your dentist or orthodontist.
If you or your child already have an anterior open bite, you can consult with your dentist or orthodontist for orthodontic treatment that can involve arch expanders, braces, or clear aligners like Invisalign.
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