Open Bite Specialists

Alizah Shahar, MS, CCC-
SLP/OMT/CS

Myofunctional Therapy & Speech Therapy

located in Houston, TX

If your open bite is accompanied by muscle difficulties in your tongue and mouth, you'll need orofacial myofunctional therapy to get better. Alizah Shahar, MS, CCC-SLP/OMT, of TASL Speech Therapy Consultants, specializes in designing a specific exercise routine for your mouth muscles, restoring normal tongue movement, and preventing a relapse back to your open bite. Call our office located in Memorial City and Hedwig Village, Houston, Texas, or utilize the online booking function to discover more about your treatment options.

281-406-3193

Open Bite Q & A

What is the definition of an open bite?
When you close your mouth, your top and lower front teeth do not connect or touch, resulting in an open bite. Because the front teeth slant outward, they don't always touch.

What problems develop due to an open bite?

Many people are concerned about the impact of an open bite on their looks. While improving your self-esteem and confidence is important, an open bite can lead to problems such as:

Other speech impairments, such as Lisp
Having difficulty chewing
Swallowing problems
Saliva flow in your mouth is obstructed.
Position and mobility of the tongue are abnormal.
Dental issues

When you swallow, talk, or chew, the position of your tongue has an impact on yon how your bone structure moves. It may also create a condition known as tongue thrust, which results in an open bite.

You're more likely to get tooth decay and gum disease if you have an open bite. It may also cause abnormal wear and tear on your teeth since it places uneven pressure on them.

What is the treatment for an open bite?
Your dentist may be able to use braces to straighten your front teeth, but this depends on the cause of your open bite. If your jawbones are misaligned, you may need corrective jaw surgery to straighten them out.

You'll require orofacial myofunctional therapy before receiving braces or while you're wearing them if your open bite is caused by tongue thrust.

When you swallow or speak, your tongue pushes up on your front teeth due to muscle difficulties. Your tongue's persistent pressure pushes your front teeth out of alignment, resulting in an open bite.\

If the front teeth are forced out of alignment and into an open bite by your tongue. After your braces come off, if you don't fix the muscle imbalance that causes tongue thrust, your teeth will migrate back to their open bite.

What is orofacial myofunctional therapy and how does it work?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy involves a series of exercises that help you regain normal tongue muscle power and movement. Other problems caused by tongue thrust are also addressed in your therapy, such as learning to keep your lips closed.

Call TASL Speech Therapy Consultants or make an appointment online today to learn more about how therapy can help with open bite treatment.