Invisalign can be an effective treatment for fixing an open bite.
In this article, we discuss how Invisalign fixes an open bite and whether it is a good option for children with an overbite.
To find out if Invisalign can fix an open bite for your child, please call Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry at (480) 422-4544 to set up an appointment or use our contact form to ask our team a question.
How Invisalign Can Help With Open Bite Correction
Invisalign clear aligners are custom-made, removable plastic trays that your child wears over the upper and lower teeth.
These trays work similarly to traditional braces, exerting gradual force on the teeth through a combination of extrusion (pulling teeth out) and intrusion (pushing teeth in), closing the open bite.
Invisalign treatment uses multiple sets of trays. Your child wears each tray set for about two weeks. Each new set is designed to build on the teeth realignment progress made through the last set.
Invisalign treatment is an effective option to treat mild to moderate forms of open bite. Your child’s orthodontist will be able to tell you if your child is a candidate for Invisalign overbite treatment.
Advantages of Using Invisalign to Fix an Open Bite
The Invisalign system offers multiple appealing advantages compared to braces. These include:
- They are removable without the need for special tools and can be easily put back in. This makes it easy for your child to eat without restrictions on hard or sticky foods. It also makes it easier to maintain oral hygiene by brushing and flossing because there are no bands, metal brackets, and wires to get in the way.
- Invisalign trays are virtually invisible when worn.
- Invisalign aligners can be more comfortable to wear compared to traditional braces.
- Invisalign treatment usually takes no longer than traditional braces treatment, and in some cases may even be faster.
Additional Considerations Before Choosing Invisalign Overbite Treatment
Aside from not being appropriate for all open bite treatment situations, especially severe cases, Invisalign treatment does require you to weigh some potential downsides:
- They require self-discipline to use effectively. Your child must wear them every day, for about 22 hours a day, for them to work properly. If left out for too long, the teeth and jaws may not realign properly, requiring new trays to be made and slowing the overall treatment process.
- The aligners must be kept clean to avoid the buildup of food particles and plaque and to keep the aligners from staining.
- Invisalign can cost a little more to use than traditional metal braces.
The Invisalign Treatment Process
The Invisalign personalized treatment plan uses the following steps.
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Your child’s orthodontist will use advanced imaging technology to create a three-dimensional model of your child’s teeth. This model will form the basis for creating the treatment plan and correcting the open bite condition.
Custom Aligner Creation
Based on the three-dimensional model, the orthodontist will have a series of customized aligner trays made.
Regular Check-Ups and Progress Monitoring
Once the Invisalign treatment begins, it is sound practice for your child to have regular check-ups with the orthodontist to ensure that the treatment progression is going according to schedule or to make any necessary treatment plan adjustments.
Maintaining Results After Invisalign Treatment
Once the Invisalign treatment process is complete, your child may need to wear a retainer to hold the teeth and jaws in their new and correct positions. At first, the retainer may be necessary all the time, but eventually, it may only be needed at night.
What Causes Overbite?
An open bite occurs from any of the following causes:
- Oral health habits: These include digit sucking or tongue thrusting, which describes pushing the tongue against the front teeth when swallowing.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ): This can result from trauma to the jaw, growth disorders, or other structural problems with the jaws, or habitual teeth grinding.
- Skeletal development problems: These are usually genetic in nature, causing the jaws to grow apart.
Overbite Symptoms
The symptom of overbite that might be most noticeable to your child is a visible gap between the upper and lower front teeth in an anterior open bite, which can lead to awkward self-consciousness and lack of a confident smile.
Additional issues that can occur from an overbite condition include:
- Difficulty biting and thoroughly chewing food
- Speech impediments, like a lisp
- Uneven tooth enamel wear, and more serious tooth problems like cracking and chipping
- Jaw pain
Is Invisalign for Open Bite Right for Your Child?
As long as your child is not suffering from a severe open bite, then Invisalign therapy may be an orthodontic treatment option to consider. One of our orthodontists at Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry can help you evaluate all the available treatment options, including traditional braces and behavioral changes, so you can make the best decision at an affordable cost.
Invisalign can be a highly effective solution for treating mild or moderate open bites. The treatment is convenient and discreet, and offers several advantages compared to traditional braces, not the least of which is your child’s improved self-esteem that comes with having a beautiful smile.
Call our Scottsdale office at (480) 422-4544 to speak with one of our qualified dental professionals and to schedule a dental health evaluation appointment. You can also use our online contact form to reach us.