--- title: "Open Bite Treatment Options UK | Braces & Aligners" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite-treatment-options description: "Open bite is treated with braces or clear aligners, habit control and, for severe jaw cases, surgery. Compare UK options, complexity and retainers." updated: 2026-10-15T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- Open Bite Bite Planning Braces # Open Bite Treatment Options An open bite means some teeth do not meet when biting together. It is usually treated with braces or clear aligners, with habit control or jaw assessment added depending on cause, severity and jaw relationship. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Compare Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) ## Why open bite cause matters for treatment Open bites may be linked to thumb or finger sucking habits (especially in children), tongue posture or tongue thrust (the tongue pressing between the front teeth during swallowing), prolonged dummy or bottle use in early childhood, growth pattern of the jaws (particularly a vertical skeletal growth tendency), or tooth position resulting from any of the above. Understanding the cause before choosing treatment is essential — treating the bite without addressing an active habit or skeletal pattern risks relapse once retainers are removed. ## Types of open bite and treatment complexity Anterior open bite (between the front teeth) is the most common type, often linked to tongue posture, habits, or vertical skeletal pattern. Posterior open bite (back teeth not meeting, front teeth touching) is rarer and usually skeletal in origin. Dental open bite — where the cause is primarily tooth position rather than jaw relationship — is the most amenable to orthodontic correction. Skeletal open bite — where the jaw bones are significantly divergent — often requires orthognathic (jaw) surgery alongside orthodontic treatment for stable correction in adults. ## What treatment routes are available for open bite? Braces and aligners can close dental anterior open bites by intruding (moving upward) posterior teeth or extruding (downward) front teeth. Habit management — stopping thumb sucking or changing tongue posture with a myofunctional therapist — may be addressed simultaneously, especially in children. Tongue cribs (a fixed appliance preventing the tongue from resting between the teeth) are used in selected cases. Functional appliances in growing teenagers can sometimes modify vertical jaw growth. Orthognathic surgery is discussed for significant skeletal open bites in adults where orthodontics alone would not hold. ## Aligner treatment for open bite: considerations Clear aligners can treat dental anterior open bites effectively in adults, particularly mild to moderate cases without significant skeletal involvement. Posterior intrusion (pushing back teeth up to allow front teeth to meet) is a movement that aligners can achieve with attachments. However, open bite relapse rates are higher than for other conditions, and tongue posture management is often important alongside orthodontic treatment. For skeletal cases or where tongue thrust is active, aligners alone are unlikely to provide lasting correction. ## Open bite in children: early assessment benefits If an open bite is identified in a child still engaging in thumb sucking or dummy use, addressing the habit at age 6–8 can allow natural improvement of the bite as the permanent teeth erupt. Referral for orthodontic assessment by age 7–8 is reasonable for children with persistent open bite or active habits. Early assessment does not always mean early treatment — it means the clinician can advise on timing and whether habit management alone is sufficient. ## Retention after open bite treatment Open bite cases carry a higher relapse rate than other orthodontic conditions, particularly where tongue posture or skeletal factors played a role. Long-term retention is essential — typically fixed wires behind both upper and lower front teeth plus removable night retainers. Myofunctional therapy to correct tongue posture during and after treatment helps support long-term stability. Patients should be counselled realistically about relapse risk before starting treatment, and retention planning should be part of the treatment discussion from the outset. ## Useful related pages [Problems Hub](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Open Bite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite) [Orthodontic Consultation](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/orthodontic-consultation) [Clear Aligners vs Fixed Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/compare/clear-aligners-vs-fixed-braces-for-adults) [Braces Cost UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs/braces-cost) [Teeth Straightening Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-straightening-options) This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist. ### Compare next steps [Orthodontist Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [Clear Aligners Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [Invisalign Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/invisalign-provider-near-me) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Ready for a clearer starting point? Upload guided photos and receive an indication of likely treatment options and pricing before booking appointments. [Get an Online Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) ### Frequently Asked Questions Can braces fix an open bite? Braces can correct dental anterior open bites — cases where tooth position is the primary driver. Skeletal open bites in adults (where jaw bone divergence is the cause) often need orthognathic surgery alongside orthodontic preparation and finishing. A cephalometric X-ray is needed to distinguish dental from skeletal open bite. Can aligners fix an open bite? Clear aligners can close dental open bites effectively using posterior intrusion mechanics with attachments. They are less suitable for skeletal open bites or cases with active tongue thrust. Relapse risk is higher for open bite than most other conditions — retention and habit management are important adjuncts. Can an open bite come back? Yes — open bite carries one of the highest relapse rates of any orthodontic presentation, so retention planning matters more here than in most cases. The risk is greatest where the original cause has not gone away: a tongue-thrust swallowing pattern, resting tongue posture between the front teeth, an underlying skeletal growth pattern, or a thumb-sucking habit that persists after treatment. Correcting tooth position does not by itself change any of those. Long-term retainer wear is essential, and myofunctional therapy — exercises retraining tongue posture and swallowing — is often recommended alongside it where habit was a contributing factor. Is an open bite treated on the NHS? Open bite in under-18s may qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment if the IOTN score is Grade 4 or 5. Significant open bites with functional impact commonly meet this threshold. NHS waiting lists in England range from around six months in lower-demand areas to four years or more in many. Severe skeletal open bites may be referred through hospital orthodontic services for combined surgical assessment. When should a child be assessed for an open bite? If a child has a persistent open bite related to thumb sucking or dummy use, an orthodontic assessment by age 7–8 is sensible. At this stage a clinician can advise whether the habit alone needs addressing or whether early intervention is likely to help. Early assessment does not always mean early treatment — the timing decision is made case-by-case. How long does open bite treatment take? Mild dental open bites corrected with aligners or braces alone can complete in around 9–14 months. Cases needing functional appliances in growing teenagers, tongue crib placement, or combined orthodontic-surgical planning in adults typically take 18–30 months in total once preparation, active treatment, and any surgical stage are included. Your clinician can only give an accurate timeline once X-rays confirm whether the open bite is dental or skeletal. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## Ready for a personalised answer? Upload guided photos and get a tailored recommendation for your teeth and bite. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Citation details Title Open Bite Treatment Options UK | Braces & Aligners Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-10-15 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite-treatment-options](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite-treatment-options)