06/14/2026
An openbite is one of the most challenging malocclusions we treat as orthodontists (and one of the most misunderstood).
When the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch, all your biting force gets redirected to the back teeth. Teeth that were never designed to carry that load. Over time that means wear, cracking, and jaw problems that go way beyond how your smile looks.
What makes it so hard to fix? The causes are multifactorial: skeletal structure, tongue posture, mouth breathing, childhood habits. And even after successful treatment, the relapse rate is high, often because tongue posture hasn’t changed. If the tongue continues to rest between the teeth, it will push the bite open again over time. Addressing that is just as important as the orthodontic mechanics.
Treatment options depend on the severity and the cause. Mild to moderate cases can often be corrected with braces or clear aligners using precise mechanics and consistent elastic wear. More severe skeletal cases may require surgery to reposition the jaw, which in the right patient produces very stable long-term outcomes.
If your child’s front teeth don’t touch when they bite down, it’s worth getting assessed sooner rather than later. The earlier we identify the cause, the more options we have.
Free consultation · link in bio 📍 SW Calgary.
