Content reviewed by Dr. Anthony Farrow, DMD, MS, orthodontist at Farrow Orthodontics in Philadelphia, PA.
Yes, clear aligners can fix most mild to moderate open bites. They work by gently guiding your front and back teeth until the bite closes correctly. Severe open bites rooted in jaw shape sometimes need braces or added tools, and surgery is reserved for a small group of adult cases. If you live in or near Chestnut Hill, Dr. Anthony Farrow can tell you in one free visit whether aligners will work for your smile.
Key takeaways
- Clear aligners can close most open bites caused by tooth position or old habits like thumb sucking.
- Severe, jaw-related (skeletal) open bites may need braces, aligners plus extra tools, or, rarely, surgery.
- Treatment usually takes 12 to 24 months; wearing your trays 20 to 22 hours a day is the key to staying on track.
- Retainers and correcting the underlying habit are what keep an open bite from reopening.
- Want to know if aligners fit your case? Book a free exam or call (215) 247-9060.
What is an open bite?
An open bite means your top and bottom teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed. Most often the front teeth stay apart while the back teeth meet, so you could slide a straw through the gap. It’s more than a cosmetic issue. An open bite can make it hard to bite into food like a sandwich or an apple, it can cause speech problems such as a lisp, and it can wear down the back teeth because they do all the chewing work.
Cleveland Clinic groups open bites into two types, and the difference drives everything about treatment: a dental open bite is about tooth position, while a skeletal open bite is about how the jawbones grew. Dental open bites respond very well to clear aligners. Skeletal open bites sometimes need more than aligners alone.
What causes an open bite?
Open bites come from a few common sources. The American Association of Orthodontists points to habits and growth patterns as the most frequent culprits:
- Thumb or finger sucking. Long-term sucking pushes the front teeth apart as a child grows.
- Tongue thrusting. The tongue presses against the front teeth when swallowing or speaking.
- Long-term pacifier or bottle use. The same pushing effect as thumb sucking.
- Mouth breathing. Often tied to allergies or enlarged tonsils; it changes how the jaw grows.
- Jaw growth patterns. Sometimes the jawbones simply grow in a way that keeps the teeth apart, which is a skeletal open bite.
The cause matters because it decides the treatment. A habit-driven or tooth-position open bite is exactly the kind aligners handle well. A jaw-shape open bite may call for a combination approach.
How do clear aligners fix an open bite?
Clear aligners are thin, custom trays that fit over your teeth. Each new set moves the teeth a small, planned amount. To close an open bite, aligners do two main jobs:
- They guide the front teeth down and together. Orthodontists call this extrusion, easing the front teeth out just enough that they meet.
- They control the back teeth, holding or slightly intruding them so the bite can close in front.
Aligners are actually well suited to that second job. Each tray sits between your back teeth like a thin cushion, which helps hold those teeth in place while the front closes. According to Invisalign, aligner treatment is planned digitally from a 3D scan, so every tooth movement is mapped before the first tray is made.
At Farrow Orthodontics, Dr. Farrow is an Invisalign Platinum Provider and also offers Spark clear aligners, one of the newest aligner systems. He plans every movement digitally and shows you a preview of the finished bite before treatment begins.
Clear aligners vs. braces vs. surgery for an open bite
Here’s how the main open-bite options compare, from the simplest to the most involved.
Option | Best for | Typical time | Looks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clear aligners | Mild to moderate open bites | 12 to 24 months | Nearly invisible | Removable, smooth trays |
Braces | Moderate to severe cases | 18 to 30 months | Visible (clear options exist) | Fixed; strong, precise control |
Aligners + elastics or TADs | Tougher moderate cases | 18 to 30 months | Mostly invisible | Small added parts for extra pull |
Jaw surgery + aligners/braces | Severe skeletal open bites | 24+ months | Varies | For true jaw-bone mismatches |
TADs are tiny temporary anchors that give aligners extra pulling power; most patients never need them. Surgery is saved for a small group of adults with genuine jaw-bone mismatches. The only way to know which row fits you is an in-person exam.
What happens during treatment? (step by step)
Here’s what open-bite treatment with clear aligners looks like at Farrow Orthodontics.
- Free exam. Dr. Farrow checks your bite, takes digital X-rays, and identifies the cause of your open bite.
- Digital scan and plan. A 3D scan maps your teeth, and you see a preview of your finished smile before you start.
- Wear your trays. You wear each set 20 to 22 hours a day and switch to a new set on the schedule Dr. Farrow sets, usually every 1 to 2 weeks.
- Quick check-ups. Short visits every few weeks confirm your bite is closing on track.
- Retainers. Once the bite is closed, retainers hold the result. Skipping this step is the top reason open bites reopen.
Did a habit like tongue thrusting cause your open bite? Your plan may also include simple tongue-posture exercises. Correcting the habit is what protects the result long term.
Is clear aligner treatment right for you?
You’re likely a good fit if your open bite is mild to moderate, your gums are healthy, and you’re ready to wear your trays about 22 hours a day. The ADA’s MouthHealthy guide notes that a professional exam is the right first step for any bite problem. Only an in-person check can tell a dental open bite from a skeletal one.
Families across Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, and Center City already trust the practice for this kind of care. In reviews, patients often praise Dr. Farrow’s skill, the friendly team, and their final results, and many mention that he takes time to listen and tailor each plan. That matters a lot in open bite cases where the cause varies from person to person.
Worried about cost? The practice offers flexible payment plans with a low down payment and no credit checks, so treatment can fit most budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can clear aligners fix an open bite without surgery?
Yes, in most cases. Mild and moderate open bites usually close with aligners alone. Only severe skeletal cases may need surgery.
How long does it take to fix an open bite with clear aligners?
Most open bites take 12 to 24 months. Wearing your trays 20 to 22 hours a day keeps you on schedule.
Can Invisalign fix an open bite in adults?
Yes. Adults respond well to aligner treatment. Dr. Farrow treats teens and adults with both Invisalign and Spark aligners.
What’s the difference between a dental and a skeletal open bite?
A dental open bite is about tooth position and responds well to aligners. A skeletal open bite is about jaw shape and may need braces, added tools, or surgery.
Will my open bite come back after treatment?
Not if you wear your retainer as directed and correct any tongue or thumb habits. Retainers are part of every plan at Farrow Orthodontics.
Do clear aligners hurt?
You may feel light pressure for a day or two with each new tray. Most patients call it mild and easy to manage.
Are clear aligners better than braces for an open bite?
It depends on the case. Aligners are discreet and removable and handle mild to moderate open bites well; braces give more control for tougher cases. Dr. Farrow helps you compare at your exam.
Can kids get clear aligners for an open bite?
Sometimes. In growing kids, early treatment and habit correction can help before a full aligner plan. An exam by age 7 helps catch open bites early.
Do I need a referral to be evaluated for open-bite treatment?
No. You can book a free consultation with Farrow Orthodontics directly.
Where can I get clear aligners near Chestnut Hill?
Farrow Orthodontics serves Chestnut Hill from its nearby Mt. Airy office on Wadsworth Avenue, with a second office in Center City.
Ready to close the gap? Book your free exam
An open bite won’t fix itself, but it’s very fixable. Find out today whether clear aligners are right for you. Call Farrow Orthodontics in Mt. Airy at (215) 247-9060, Center City at (215) 569-9060, or book your free consultation online. Your new bite starts with one easy visit.