Open Bite Treatment in Odessa, Florida
Open Bite Treatment in Odessa, Florida
An open bite happens when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet, even when the back teeth are closed together. Most commonly, it’s the front teeth that don’t touch, leaving a visible gap. Open bites can make biting into food difficult and may affect speech and jaw comfort.
At Smile Isle Orthodontics, Dr. Marina looks beyond the bite itself to understand what’s causing it. Many open bites are tied to childhood habits or tongue position, and treating the underlying cause is just as important as correcting the bite.
Start with a FREE consultation. We proudly serve patients in Odessa, Trinity, Keystone, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, and New Port Richey.
Questions? Call: (813) 755-4655
Common causes of open bite
Prolonged thumb or pacifier use: Sustained pressure on the front teeth during childhood can push them out of place over time.
Tongue thrust: When the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing or at rest, it can prevent them from meeting properly.
Jaw growth patterns: Some open bites are skeletal. This means the upper and lower jaws didn’t develop in a way that lets the front teeth meet.
Airway-related habits: Chronic mouth breathing can lead to a tongue-low position that contributes to an open bite over time.
Treatment options for open bite
Metal and Ceramic Braces
Braces give us precise control to bring the front teeth back into contact and stabilize the bite. We offer traditional and self-ligating metal braces, as well as GC Chic ceramic braces for a more discreet option.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign is a strong fit for many open bites, as the aligners can carefully control how the front and back teeth move. Dr. Marina has advanced training in Invisalign and completes ongoing education each year.
Habit Appliances for Children
When a child’s open bite is caused by thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, a habit appliance can gently retrain the habit. For kids who outgrow the habit, the bite often improves on its own as treatment progresses.
Myofunctional Therapy Collaboration
When tongue position or function plays a role, we partner with myofunctional therapists who help patients retrain how the tongue rests and moves. Combining orthodontic treatment with myofunctional therapy gives many patients more lasting results.
Surgical Orthodontics
For severe skeletal open bites (typically in adults), surgery may be combined with orthodontic treatment to bring the jaws into alignment. We coordinate closely with trusted oral surgeons throughout the process.
Why treating an open bite matters
Answers to your questions about Odessa open bite treatment
What causes an open bite in children?
Often, it’s prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use past the toddler years, or tongue thrust. Sometimes jaw growth patterns play a role. An early orthodontic evaluation can help identify what’s happening. We recommend a first visit by age 6.
Can an open bite get worse over time?
Can Invisalign fix an open bite?
Will my child outgrow their open bite?
Will I need surgery?
How long does treatment take?
Flexible Payment Options
We’re in-network with Delta Dental and accept all PPO policies with out-of-network benefits. Our team is ready to help you understand and maximize your benefits. HSA and FSA funds can also be used toward treatment.
Let’s bring your bite back together
Visit us in Odessa
Our practice is conveniently located in a family-focused building, sharing space with a pediatric medical group and a pediatric dental practice. We treat patients from Land O' Lakes, Trinity, Keystone, Lutz, New Port Richey, and the entire greater Tampa community. Plus, we accept most major insurance plans!
