Open Bite Types:
The following are different types of open bites. They have been described in the past but not many people know them now. These types of open bites are:
1) Closed Type: Closed type is a closed bite with no tooth missing.
There is no way to close it or even remove the tooth from the mouth. If there was any infection, it would spread through the whole body and kill you instantly. You will never get rid of it completely.
2) Open Type: An open bite is one where the tooth has come out of the mouth.
Usually this happens when something has punctured your throat or stomach. Sometimes the tooth comes out while you are sleeping and can’t wake up immediately because you have lost control over your jaw muscles. In such cases, it is called a “sleep bite”.
3) No Teeth: A no teeth bite means that the tooth has fallen out of the mouth naturally without any intervention.
The teeth usually fall out during sleep or other accidents.
4) Open Bite: An open bite is a bite where all the teeth have come out at once.
It may happen due to trauma or if someone chews their food too hard causing a tear in their gums which then falls out of their mouth and into your mouth.
What is an Open Bite?
An open bite is a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not line up. This occurs when the upper jaw bone separates from the skull, preventing proper jaw movement. This can be caused by several reasons like accidents or diseases. These causes can be congenital or can happen in early childhood. It can also occur due to tooth loss, which may be the result of injury, decay or disease.
Symptoms of an open bite may include:
Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
Tooth pain or infection
Sensation of something stuck in the teeth
What are the types of open bite cases?
The following are different types of open bite cases:
1) Tongue Thrust: In this condition, the person forces their tongue against the front teeth while swallowing or talking causing the upper jaw to become more narrow.
This can cause the front teeth to become prominent, while the back teeth may become more crowded. If this condition goes untreated, it can cause the upper jaw to grow in a curved forward position and may result in an increase in the width of the upper arch while decreasing lower jaw size. This condition is also known as craniomandibular disorders, which affects millions of children and adolescents. It is believed that most cases are due to psychological factors rather than physiological or dental problems.
2) Sleep Bite: A sleep bite is a type of open bite which occurs when the upper teeth come out of the mouth while sleeping.
During sleep, the muscles that hold the teeth in place become relaxed, which is why the teeth fall out of place. A sleep bite can also occur due to violent dreams, coughing or other types of strenuous activity during sleep. These open bites are usually more severe than those that occur due to other causes.
3) Denture Embouchure Bite: A denture embouchure bite is an open bite that occurs due to a denture not fitting properly.
The denture may not fit well due to a poorly constructed denture, ill-fitting denture material or even periodontal disease. These factors can also cause dentures to become displaced during sleep causing a sleep bite.
4) Preexisting Bite: A preexisting bite is an open bite that has been present since birth.
It can occur due to a number of reasons like genetic factors, illness during the pregnancy period or even a traumatic birth.
What are the causes of open bites?
The following are some of the common causes leading to open bites:
1) Tongue Thrust: Tongue thrust is the most common cause of an open bite in children and adolescents.
It occurs due to the tongue pushing against the front teeth while swallowing or talking.
2) Sleep Bite: A sleep bite can occur during sleep due to clenching of the jaw or grinding, which is a very common occurrence during sleep.
These conditions are often related to stress and anxiety. The reason for this is that when a person is under stress, they tend to clench their jaws. This condition can also be caused by certain types of sleeping disorders.
3) Denture Embouchure Bite: An ill-fitting denture can cause an open bite as it causes the person to clench their jaw or teeth tightly in an attempt to decrease pain or discomfort.
This condition can also be caused by periodontal disease, which makes the gums recede and become loose. If the denture does not fit well it can easily fall out of place, causing an open bite.
4) Preexisting Bite: An open bite can occur due to structural issues of the mouth, which are present at birth or infancy.
Most of these cases have genetic factors, however, some of them may be caused by illnesses during the mother’s pregnancy period or even a difficult birth.
What are the signs and symptoms of an open bite?
The following are the signs and symptoms associated with an open bite:
1) Pain: An open bite will cause pain while chewing.
Other pain may also be present in the jaws, as well as the neck and back of the head due to muscle tightness.
2) Headaches: An open bite may cause headaches due to muscle tension or even jaw joint problems.
3) Loose Teeth: Teeth that are not firmly anchored can easily become loose.
4) Bad Breath: Due to food particles collecting in the gaps between the teeth, bad breath (also known as halitosis) can become a problem.
5) Tooth Sensitivity: Teeth that have large gaps between them will be more prone to sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.
6) Speech Issues: If the open bite is severe, it can also cause speech impediments as the person may not be able to pronounce certain sounds.
7) Swallowing Issues: An open bite may also cause issues related to the way you swallow different foods and liquids.
8) Headache: Due to muscle tension or even jaw joint problems.
How is an open bite diagnosed?
The following steps are used to diagnose an open bite:
1) Your dentist or dental specialist will take a complete medical history of you, which will include questions about your teeth, gums and jaws.
They will ask you to open your mouth as they will carefully inspect your teeth and the gums that surround them.
2) Your dentist may also ask you to stick out your tongue, so that they can take a look at your tongue and the area right behind your teeth known as the palate.
3) A visual inspection of your teeth will help them rule out other dental problems that may cause similar signs as an open bite.
They will also take an X-ray of your teeth and jaws to rule out any hidden dental problems.
4) Based on the results of the above steps, your dentist may refer you to a dental surgeon or periodontist who can perform more extensive tests such as a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to get a better idea about the cause of your open bite.
How is an open bite treated?
The following steps are used to treat an open bite:
1) The first step is to treat the underlying cause of the open bite.
This may involve treating any infections or inflammation in the gums.
2) Specially made mouth guards can be worn at night to lessen any pain or discomfort while you sleep.
3) Specially made plates can be used to protect your loose teeth and prevent them from getting pulled out completely.
4) Your dentist may also prescribe some medicated rinses or gels to treat any gum diseases you might have.
5) In extreme cases, surgery may be required to repair the root causes of the open bite.
Sources & references used in this article:
Open-bite: diagnosis and treatment by JD Subtelny, M Sakuda – American journal of orthodontics, 1964 – ajodo.org
Skeletal anchorage system for open-bite correction by M Umemori, J Sugawara, H Mitani, H Nagasaka… – American Journal of …, 1999 – Elsevier
Open-bite by FW Worms, LH Meskin, RJ Isaacson – American Journal of Orthodontics …, 1971 – ajodo.org
Open bite: a review of etiology and management. by P Ngan, HW Fields – Pediatric dentistry, 1997 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Skeletal morphologic features of anterior open bite by TJ Cangialosi – American journal of orthodontics, 1984 – Elsevier
Severe anterior open-bite case treated using titanium screw anchorage by S Kuroda, A Katayama… – The Angle …, 2004 – meridian.allenpress.com