Have you recently noticed differences in the way your teeth fit together? Have you developed a speech impediment? If it seems like unusual changes are taking place with the positioning of your teeth, this could mean you’re developing an open bite. Fortunately, your dentist in Columbia, SC, has solutions.

What Is an Open Bite?

When your upper and lower teeth no longer fit snugly together, your dentist may diagnose an open bite. While this may not sound too serious, it can be quite inconvenient. Depending upon where the teeth no longer meet, biting and chewing your favorite foods may become a chore. You may no longer be able to easily eat a sandwich or enjoy a juicy steak without effort. This type of malocclusion may also affect your speech, because you’re no longer able to pronounce certain words clearly.

What Causes an Open Bite?

Several conditions may cause you to develop an open bite. These include empty spaces left behind by lost or extracted teeth and dental trauma. In young children, thumb sucking or tongue thrusting may lead to open bite. A temporomandibular joint disorder may cause this condition, too, and so may genetics.

What Are the Treatment Options for Open Bite?

Your dentist has several solutions for treating an open bite, and they’re happy to sit down with you to discuss your options. These may include placing braces or clear aligners on your teeth to move them back into the correct position or surgery to reposition your jaw. Sometimes, behavior modifications classes are helpful, too, if your open bite stems from a bad habit such as thrusting your tongue against your teeth.

Help for Open Bite in Columbia, SC

If you need more information on the diagnosis and treatment of open bite or other malocclusions in Columbia, SC, we invite you to contact Tompkins Orthodontics today. Our experienced and professional dental team routinely treats problems such as open bite. We’re happy to sit down with you to discuss the most effective ways to improve your smile and to straighten and realign your teeth. Contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation and diagnostic tests.