How to Correct Posterior Open Bite after Invisalign
As far as our oral health is concerned, it’s vital that we not only practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, but that we also make sure that we visit our dentist regularly for check-ups, even if there’s nothing visibly wrong with our teeth.
One of the most common issues that dentists across Australia, and indeed, across the world for that matter, come across is what is known as a posterior open bite. To further exasperate things, many patients who have recently undergone Invisalign treatment find themselves suffering with a posterior open bite.
If you’ve recently undergone Invisalign treatment and are affected by a posterior open bite, then this is the perfect article for you as we’ll be looking at open bites in more detail and how to correct posterior open bite after Invisalign.
What is a posterior open bite?
We’ve spoke about posterior open bites quite a few times already, yet we’ve not actually spoke about what they are. Well, that’s all about to change now.
A posterior open bite basically occurs when an individual bites down and only their anterior (front) teeth come into contact. If there is space between the teeth at the back, an open bite may occur.
While posterior open bites can be caused by all manner of different things, most commonly you will find that they’re caused by the use of aligners, in this case clear aligners in the form of Invisalign.
Why does Invisalign cause posterior open bite?
Now that we know the basics of what a posterior open bite actually is, it’s now time for us to take a look at how Invisalign can cause the problem, or in the very least, make it worse.
Invisalign is basically a teeth-straightening product in the form of removable and transparent retainers. The retainers mould to the teeth and gradually help to push the teeth back and straighten them.
The problem with Invisalign is that these clear aligners may cover the occlusal of anterior teeth at the front of the mouth, resulting in the patient biting down onto the retainers. Over time, this can cause the teeth to shift and result in retroclined upper anterior teeth as well as a lack of overjet. This results in a premature anterior contact developing, which in turn causes a posterior open bite.
How to correct posterior open bite after Invisalign?
If you’ve recently underwent Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth, while you will no doubt be hugely impressed with the results, you may find that you’ve developed a posterior open bite as a result.
While this can be frustrating, the good news is that there are things you can do to remedy the issue and prevent it from worsening.
If your dentist believes that there is an open bite caused via molar intrusion, with no heavy contact between the anterior teeth, aligner material covering the intruded molar may be removed, as this could allow the teeth to fall back into place and settle down into occlusion with the opposite teeth naturally, without the need for further treatment.
If you wish to speed up this process, brackets or buttons may be bonded onto the buccal cavity of the affected teeth, along with elastics being stretched the lower and the upper teeth to help pull the open bite closed much quicker.
In more advanced cases, there may be the need for an IPR (Interproximal Reduction) in order to increase the overjet. You may also request a revision in which you’d ask for upper incisor intrusion and proclination, along with lower incisor intrusion, so as to eliminate the heavy and premature contact of the teeth, allowing the posterior teeth to come together.
Book your consultation today
If you’re looking for ways of correcting your posterior open bite after Invisalign treatment, or if you simply wish to straighten your teeth, pick up the phone and contact the friendly team at Nedlands Dental in Perth today.
We’re qualified to deal with all manner of dental issues, including posterior open bite, and we have price plans and packages to suit all budgets in the process.
