Contact

Dr. Sebastian Krause

 

Kistlerhofstraße 172c, 81379 München

[Translate to English:] Mo: 08:30 - 20:00 Uhr
Di: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Mi: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Do: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Fr: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr

All appointments by appointment

 

Free parking is available for our patients in the parking garage under the practice.

DE EN

Open bite

Misalignments

Play

Definition: What is an open bite?

An open bite is one of the most common misalignments in adults. In an open bite, some teeth fail to make contact with their opposing teeth. Depending on the severity, this can make biting and chewing difficult or even impossible.

The symptoms of malalignment at a glance:

  • Front and/or side teeth do not meet properly
  • Small to large gap between front and/or side teeth
  • Disturbed aesthetics
  • Difficulties with biting and chewing
  • Impaired speech (e.g., lisping)
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Increased risk of cavities formation
  • Increased risk of respiratory irritations

What is the difference to a normal bite?

In a normal bite—also known as a harmonious bite—the cutting edges of the teeth meet. Additionally, the upper incisors protrude over the lower ones by approximately 2 to 3 millimeters. As described earlier, this is not the case with an open bite, which can impair speech, chewing, and breathing.

An early diagnosis and treatment help prevent unpleasant long-term consequences. We are happy to inform you about your individual treatment options for dental misalignments at your orthodontist in Munich. It's best to schedule an appointment right away.

Open bite treatment: orthodontic measures correct the malocclusion

In most cases, an open bite is only mildly pronounced, so the teeth alignment can be corrected without surgery. Modern aligners and braces reliably fix dental misalignments in adults and children.

Dr. Krause & Colleagues specialize in treating adult misalignments using exclusive aligners from Invisalign or the cost-effective alternative, Spark Aligners. These invisible braces are highly comfortable and barely noticeable. We are your experienced specialist for Invisalign in Munich and can address open bites effectively. Of course, traditional braces are also an option for adult patients.

In children, orthodontic treatment should ideally start early. If the misalignment is identified early enough, therapy with orthodontic exercises can be promising. So-called orthodontic-oromyological treatment approaches strengthen the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue, thereby counteracting the open bite.

How does an open bite develop?

Often, an open bite develops due to a genetic predisposition and becomes apparent in childhood. Harmful behaviors can also contribute to the misalignment, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or the use of a pacifier in children over 3 years old. This is also referred to as a habitually open bite (or frontal open bite). If left untreated, the dental misalignment often persists beyond growth into adulthood.

In cases of genetically determined open bite (also known as a lateral open bite or skeletal open bite), there may not be sufficient space for the first teeth to emerge on the sides of the jaw, leading to dental misalignment.

Ideally, dental misalignments should be orthodontically treated in children. However, there are also options available for adults to effectively address an open bite. We are happy to provide individualized advice on your treatment options.

Are the costs of treatment covered by health insurance?

The treatment costs of an open bite are typically covered by health insurance during childhood. For adults, insurance will only cover the costs if the misalignment is severe and its correction is deemed necessary from an orthodontic perspective. The gap between the upper and lower incisors must exceed 4 millimeters (Dental Indication Group (DIG) Level 4). Otherwise, supplementary dental insurance may be utilized.