Can Invisalign Fix Open Bite?

What Is an Open Bite?

An open bite means the upper and lower teeth do not meet when you close your mouth, most commonly in the front. You can have straight teeth overall and still have space between the top and bottom incisors, which is why some people miss it until they see side photos or notice a slight lisp on certain sounds.

A clinician will also describe whether the open bite is dental or primarily skeletal. Dental open bites are driven by tooth position and habits, while skeletal open bites are influenced by the underlying jaw pattern. Both can be improved, although the roadmap looks different depending on the cause and severity.

Why Open Bites Happen

Open bites often start with habits or tongue posture. Thumb or finger sucking in childhood, extended pacifier use, or pushing the tongue forward during swallowing can all encourage the front teeth to flare, leaving a gap when you bite down. Some people also posture the tongue between the teeth at rest without realizing it.

Growth patterns matter as well. If the back part of the upper jaw grows more vertically than average, the back teeth can overerupt, tipping the bite open in front. Airway issues, chronic mouth breathing, and certain genetic patterns can contribute. Identifying which factors are active for you is the key to designing a plan that closes the bite and keeps it closed.

How Invisalign Corrects an Open Bite

Clear aligners can close an open bite by combining controlled intrusion of back teeth with carefully timed extrusion and uprighting of the front teeth. This rebalances the bite so the incisors meet naturally while the back teeth maintain stable support. Modern aligners deliver these movements in small, planned increments that add up to visible change.

Attachments and Smart features turn the aligners into precise tools. Small tooth-colored attachments create better grip for the aligner to apply gentle forces, while features like bite ramps or precision cuts help guide the jaw into a more efficient path. When needed, light elastics connect the upper and lower arches to encourage contact where it belongs.

Digital planning is the engine behind that precision. We simulate the bite closing on screen, evaluate how each tooth needs to move, and sequence the steps so forces stay comfortable and efficient. That plan is what allows aligners to do the heavy lifting with a smooth, wearable experience.

Can Clear Aligners Really Close a Front-to-Front Gap?

Yes, clear aligners close many anterior open bites reliably, especially when the gap stems from tooth position or habits that can be corrected. The aligners are worn most of the day, so each hour spent in motion nudges the front teeth into contact while the back teeth settle into a more balanced height.

Consistency drives success. Wearing your aligners as directed and changing to the next set on schedule creates the steady micro-movements that add up to a confident, functional bite.

Cases That Respond Especially Well

Mild to moderate dental open bites respond beautifully, particularly when the front teeth are simply flared or slightly tipped. These cases let us focus on uprighting the incisors and fine-tuning the back teeth without major changes to jaw relationships.

Habit-related open bites are also great candidates once the habit is addressed. If tongue posture contributed, we pair aligner therapy with simple exercises or coaching, which turns a short-term fix into a long-term win.

What About More Complex Open Bites?

More complex open bites benefit from a hybrid approach that still keeps comfort and aesthetics front and center. Clear aligners can be combined with light elastics, temporary anchorage devices when appropriate, or other auxiliaries that assist with precise vertical control of the back teeth.

Skeletal open bites deserve a thoughtful plan. Some patients achieve excellent results with aligners and targeted mechanics that control the vertical dimension at the molars while coordinating the arches. Others may be best served by a comprehensive approach that includes additional procedures to optimize jaw balance before, during, or after aligner therapy. Your consultation at Frugé Orthodontics maps these paths clearly so you feel confident in the plan you choose.

The Invisalign Treatment Journey at Frugé Orthodontics

Your journey starts with a warm, no-pressure consultation where we take photos, a digital scan, and any necessary x-rays. We evaluate the open bite in the context of your facial balance, airway history, and dental health so the plan closes the gap and supports overall function.

Next comes virtual treatment planning. We use the scan to design a step-by-step sequence that gradually brings the front teeth into contact while stabilizing the back teeth. You can preview how your bite will evolve and ask questions before we green-light the first aligner set.

When your aligners arrive, we place any needed attachments and review wear instructions, care, and check-in timing. Most patients change trays weekly or every other week and see us at comfortable intervals for progress checks. Remote photo check-ins are available when appropriate, which is helpful for busy families around Baton Rouge and Denham Springs.