Beyond Crooked Teeth: Open Bite, Crossbite and Deep Bite Explained

When most people think about orthodontics, they picture straightening crooked teeth for a better-looking smile. But while straight teeth are brilliant, the way your upper and lower teeth come together (your bite) matters just as much for your oral health.

Bite misalignment is called malocclusion − and it’s quite common. Yet many people don’t realise they have a bite problem until it starts causing symptoms.

In this post, we’ll explore the types of bite problems that often fly under the radar and explain why they deserve your attention.

Understanding the healthy bite vs. malocclusion

So what does a healthy bite actually look like? Your upper teeth should fit slightly over the lower teeth, with the points of your molars fitting neatly into the grooves of the opposite molar. It’s a bit like a well-designed jigsaw puzzle.

A misaligned bite is when the teeth don’t meet properly. Malocclusion occurs for various reasons. While genetics play a big role, so does early loss of baby teeth or childhood habits like thumb sucking. The result is teeth and jaws that don’t line up the way they should.

What is an open bite?

An open bite creates a vertical gap between your teeth (usually at the front) even when your back teeth are closed. When you bite down fully, your front teeth don’t touch.

Types of open bite

There are two main varieties:

1. Anterior open bite: Your front teeth don't touch when you bite down.
2. Posterior open bite: The gap is at the back rather than the front (this one’s less common).

What causes it?

Several factors can lead to an anterior open bite:

• Thumb sucking beyond age three
• Tongue thrusting (pushing your tongue forward when swallowing)
• Extended dummy or pacifier use
• Skeletal issues affecting jaw development
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Living with an open bite

People with open bites often struggle with speech difficulties (particularly lisps) and find it genuinely hard to bite into foods like sandwiches or apples. Some everyday tasks become surprisingly frustrating.

How do you fix an open bite?

Open bite treatment depends on severity and age. For children, habit breakers can work wonders by stopping thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Adults typically need clear aligners or fixed braces to gradually shift teeth into the proper position. In severe cases, surgical intervention might be necessary to address skeletal problems.

Deep bite and overbite: understanding the overlap

A slight overbite is actually normal. In fact, about 2-4mm of overlap is healthy. But a deep bite? That’s when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth, sometimes covering them completely.

Signs you have a deep bite

• You have a “gummy smile”, showing lots of gum tissue when you smile
• Your lower front teeth bite into the gum tissue behind your upper front teeth
• You experience jaw pain or clicking
• Your lower incisors show uneven wear

That last point is crucial. When your bite alignment is off, certain teeth take more pressure than they’re designed to handle.

Why it matters

Deep bites aren’t just uncomfortable. They can lead to trauma to your gums, accelerated wear on your lower incisors and chronic jaw pain. Left untreated, you’re looking at potential long-term damage to both teeth and soft tissues.

Deep bite treatment options

Orthodontists use various approaches to correct this. Treatment may involve bite blocks (small bumps bonded to teeth) or braces to level the curve of your bite and reduce the vertical overlap. The goal is to redistribute pressure evenly across all your teeth.

The complexity of crossbites

A crossbite occurs when your upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside them. It’s essentially a lateral misalignment in that your bite is crossing over itself where it shouldn’t.

You can have an anterior crossbite (at the front) or a posterior crossbite (at the back).

What’s behind a crossbite?

Crossbite occurs due to:

• A narrow upper jaw
• Delayed loss of baby teeth
• Genetic factors affecting jaw development
• Crowded teeth forcing incorrect positioning

The domino effect

A crossbite can cause your jaw to shift to one side when you bite down. In children, this can lead to asymmetrical jaw growth and even lopsided facial features. So the earlier it’s addressed, the better.

Can braces fix a crossbite in adults?

Absolutely. While there’s a common myth that adults have missed their window, the truth is that adult braces work well. The difference is that skeletal expansion is easier in children, whose jaws are still growing. For adults, we’re working with a fully formed bone structure.

Crossbite treatment approaches

• Palatal expanders: Devices that gradually widen the upper jaw (particularly effective in children and teens).
• Clear aligners: Can correct mild to moderate bite issues in adults.
• Traditional braces: Offer precise control for moving teeth into correct positions.

Why correcting a misaligned bite matters

Other than aesthetics, addressing bite issues is fundamentally about preserving your oral health and quality of life.

Leaving these conditions untreated can lead to physical consequences, such as:

• Difficulty chewing and resulting digestive issues
• Speech impediments affecting communication
• Chronic mouth breathing and related health problems
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) causing accelerated wear
• Uneven pressure distribution leading to tooth fractures
• Gum recession from abnormal forces

Then there’s the pressure problem. A correct bite distributes pressure evenly across your teeth when you bite and chew. When your bite is off, some teeth work overtime while others barely work at all. It’s like having one leg of a table shorter than the others. Eventually, something’s going to give.

Treatment pathways: from braces to surgery

Starting with assessment

Every treatment plan begins with a thorough consultation. Your orthodontist will use scans and X-rays to understand exactly what’s happening with your teeth and jaw structure.

Children have the early advantage

Early intervention (typically between ages 7-11) can guide jaw growth while bones are still developing. This often reduces the need for surgery later and can shorten overall treatment time significantly.

Adults have more options than ever

Orthodontic treatment has evolved dramatically. Today’s options include:

• Invisalign and clear aligners, which are nearly invisible and removable.
• Ceramic braces – tooth-coloured brackets that blend in.
• Traditional metal braces, which remain the most effective for complex bite issues.

When surgery enters the picture

For severe skeletal discrepancies, orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) might be required alongside orthodontics to fully correct bite problems. These days, advanced 3D imaging allows for precise planning of tooth movements and surgical outcomes, so surgery isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Modern surgical techniques have improved dramatically, providing life-changing solutions for patients with complex bite issues.

Ready to address your bite?

Whether you’re dealing with an open bite, deep bite, or crossbite, effective solutions are available. The first step is getting a proper diagnosis to understand your specific malocclusion types.

At Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, we specialise in addressing all types of bite problems, from straightforward cases to more complex bite issues requiring comprehensive treatment plans.

Considering your options? Book a FREE consultation with our specialist orthodontist team. We’ll help you understand what’s happening with your bite and explore the treatment pathways that might work best for you.

FAQs

What’s the difference between an overbite and a deep bite?

A slight overbite (about 2-4mm) is actually normal and healthy. A deep bite is when this overlap becomes excessive, with the upper front teeth almost completely covering the lower ones. Deep bites can cause gum trauma and uneven tooth wear over time.

Can adults fix a crossbite without surgery?

Yes, in most cases. The main difference between treating children and adults is that skeletal expansion is easier when jaws are still growing. For adults with severe skeletal issues, surgery might be recommended alongside orthodontics, but this isn’t always necessary.

How do I know if I have an open bite?

The telltale sign is a gap between your upper and lower front teeth when you bite down fully with your back teeth closed. You might also struggle with certain everyday tasks like biting into sandwiches or apples, or you may have a lisp or speech difficulties. If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s worth getting assessed.

Will fixing my bite improve more than just my appearance?

Absolutely. While a better-aligned smile is brilliant, correcting your bite prevents serious issues like difficulty chewing, jaw pain, teeth grinding and accelerated tooth wear. A proper bite distributes pressure evenly across your teeth, protecting them from fractures and your gums from recession. It’s really about long-term oral health.

What causes a crossbite to develop?

Several factors can lead to a crossbite. Common causes include a narrow upper jaw, delayed loss of baby teeth, genetic factors affecting jaw development, or crowded teeth forcing incorrect positioning. In children, a crossbite can cause the jaw to shift to one side, potentially leading to asymmetrical facial growth if left untreated.