Anterior open bite is a malocclusion in which the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. This creates a gap between the teeth, usually in the front area of the mouth, affecting normal occlusion.

Open bite can be:

• Dental, when it is mainly caused by tooth positioning
• Skeletal, when it is related to jaw structure and jaw relationship
• or A combination of both.

Causes

Open bite can be:

• Genetic factors
• Endocrine or other systemic disorders
• Prolonged childhood habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use
• Mouth breathing due to nasal septum deviation or enlarged adenoids
• Enlarged tongue or low tongue posture in some cases

Effects

Open bite can affect normal oral function and lead to:

• Difficulty or pain during chewing
• Speech difficulties
• Strain on jaw muscles and joints
• Possible temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues
• Aesthetic impact on facial appearance