--- title: "Open Bite UK: Causes, Anterior & Skeletal Types Explained" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite description: "An open bite means the front teeth do not meet when biting. Tongue thrust, habits, and skeletal growth are common causes, and braces or aligners can help." updated: 2026-10-15T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- # Open Bite Treatment UK An open bite happens when the front teeth do not meet when biting together. Orthodontic treatment such as [clear aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) or [braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) can often guide the bite into a more balanced position depending on the underlying cause. ## Signs of an open bite Front teeth do not touch when biting together Back teeth meet but the front teeth remain apart Difficulty biting into foods such as sandwiches or fruit Speech sounds may feel slightly different or less clear ## What does an open bite mean? An open bite means the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap vertically, so they stay apart even when the back teeth meet, and it usually needs orthodontic correction to close. Open bites can be caused by tooth position, bite habits, or jaw growth patterns. Understanding the cause helps orthodontists plan treatment that is both effective and stable long term. ## What causes an open bite? **Tooth position:** front teeth may tip outward or not erupt fully. **Bite habits:** long-term habits can influence how teeth meet. **Jaw growth:** vertical growth patterns can contribute to open bites. **Relapse:** previous orthodontic treatment without stable retention. ## Conditions often related to open bites Open bites can sometimes appear alongside other alignment or bite patterns. Looking at the full bite helps determine the best treatment approach. **Crooked teeth** Alignment changes can occur alongside open bite patterns. [Learn about crooked teeth →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crooked-teeth) **Crowded teeth** Limited space can influence how teeth erupt and meet. [Learn about crowded teeth →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth) **Crossbite** Bite mismatches can influence tooth contact. [Learn about crossbite →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite) **Relapse after braces** Bite patterns may return without retention. [Learn about relapse →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/relapse-after-braces) ## What treatments correct an open bite? Orthodontic treatment usually focuses on guiding the bite so the teeth meet more evenly while keeping forces balanced across the smile. **Clear aligners:** sometimes suitable for mild open bites mainly caused by tooth position. [Clear Aligners Overview](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) **Braces:** often used when more detailed bite control or vertical movement is required. [Braces Overview](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) Check Your Bite Upload guided photos to see whether the open bite is mild or more complex. A clinician reviews the assessment before treatment options are suggested. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) Related Problems [All Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Crooked teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crooked-teeth) [Crowded teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth) [Crowded teeth treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth-treatment-cost) [Gaps in teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/gaps-in-teeth) [Gaps in teeth treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/gaps-in-teeth-treatment-cost) [Overbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite) [Overbite treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite-treatment-cost) [Underbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite) [Underbite treatment options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite-treatment-options) [Crossbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite) [Crossbite treatment options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite-treatment-options) [Open bite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite) [Teeth sticking out](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-sticking-out) [One tooth out of line](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/one-tooth-out-of-line) [Relapse after braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/relapse-after-braces) [Retainer does not fit](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/retainer-does-not-fit) [Clear aligner not fitting](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/clear-aligner-not-fitting) [Missing teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/missing-teeth) [Teeth straightening for adults](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-straightening-adults) [See your future smile](https://virtualconsultant.online/tools/smile-visualisation) [All Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) [Adult braces near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/adult-orthodontist-near-me) [Clear braces near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-near-me) [Emergency orthodontist near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/emergency-orthodontist-near-me) [Clear Aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) [Ceramic Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/ceramic-braces) [Lingual Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/lingual-braces) [Invisible Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/invisible-braces) [Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/retainers) [Retainers near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/retainers-near-me) [Replacement retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers) [Do You Need Braces?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/do-you-need-braces) [How Long Do Braces Take?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-long-do-braces-take) [Braces for Adults](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/braces-for-adults) [Orthodontic Quote Online](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-quote-without-visiting) [Adult braces UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/adult-orthodontics-uk) [Am I suitable for clear aligners?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/am-i-suitable-for-clear-aligners) [How to compare orthodontists](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-to-compare-orthodontists) [Lost or broken retainer](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/lost-or-broken-retainer) [Fixed vs removable retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/fixed-vs-removable-retainers) [Broken braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/broken-braces) [Loose bracket](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/loose-bracket) [Orthodontic emergency advice](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-emergency-advice) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [Braces Cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs/braces-cost) [Braces cost near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/cheap-braces-near-me) [Clear aligners cost near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [How to take orthodontic photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Frequently asked questions Can an open bite fix itself? In adults, open bites very rarely close without treatment. Childhood open bites caused by thumb sucking or dummy use may improve naturally if the habit stops before the permanent teeth are established, particularly in mixed dentition. However, open bites in teenagers and adults have usually become structural — involving the position and eruption of the teeth and sometimes jaw growth — and require orthodontic correction to improve. Leaving an open bite untreated often results in compensatory changes in how the tongue and jaw function. Can aligners treat an open bite? Clear aligners can treat mild-to-moderate open bites, particularly those caused by tooth position rather than jaw skeletal structure. Aligners can intrude back teeth and allow the front teeth to over-erupt slightly, helping close the gap. More significant open bites, especially those with skeletal or tongue posture components, often require fixed braces with additional auxiliaries for reliable correction. In severe skeletal open bite cases in adults, orthognathic surgery may be the most stable solution. Does an open bite affect speech? Yes, in many cases. An open bite affects the contact points between the tongue and teeth needed to produce certain sounds. Sibilant sounds like 'S', 'Z', and 'SH' are particularly affected. Many people with a significant open bite develop a lisp or slight slur on these sounds. Speech therapy can help compensate but does not address the underlying structural cause. Successful orthodontic correction of an open bite often leads to natural improvement in the clarity of these sounds. How long does open bite treatment take? Treatment time for an open bite depends substantially on its severity and cause. A mild anterior open bite caused by tooth position may be corrected in around 9–14 months with aligners or braces. Cases needing functional appliances, tongue crib placement, or a combined orthodontic-surgical approach typically take 18–30 months in total once preparation, active treatment, and any surgical stage are included. A specialist orthodontist will estimate treatment duration after a full records assessment. What causes an open bite? Open bites can result from prolonged thumb or finger sucking in childhood, tongue thrust habits where the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth, skeletal growth patterns, or a combination of these factors. The underlying cause helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Can an open bite make it harder to bite into food? Yes. Because the front teeth do not meet, an open bite can make it difficult to bite cleanly into foods such as sandwiches, pizza, or whole fruit, so people often compensate by using their back teeth or tearing food with their hands instead. This is one of the functional reasons orthodontists recommend correcting an open bite rather than treating it as a purely cosmetic issue, alongside the effects on speech and long-term tooth wear. Understanding Bite Alignment ### How Open Bites Are Usually Treated Orthodontic treatment begins by understanding why the front teeth are not meeting. Once the bite pattern is understood, teeth can be guided gradually so the bite closes more evenly. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) Takes about 5 minutes • No obligation 1. Assess the bite pattern Bite pattern is evaluated. 2. Choose the treatment Treatment depends on bite pattern. 3. Guide teeth into contact Teeth shift gradually. 4. Maintain stability Retainers maintain results. 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A guided photo assessment can show whether your alignment looks like crowding, relapse after braces, or a bite pattern that orthodontic treatment could improve. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Explore Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) Takes about 5 minutes No obligation Citation details Title Open Bite UK: Causes, Anterior & Skeletal Types Explained Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-10-15 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite)