Open Bite after Invisalign. Can you reassure me?

Question

I finished my first round of Invisilign, and my back teeth did not touch, only my front teeth. This caused problems chewing. Now I'm on my refinement trays (9 months) but I'm worried that this problem won't be corrected. My ortho made the offhanded comment that this is 'common in Invisilign patients,' and didn't seem concerned, saying that your back teeth don't really need to have contact, anyway. Can you reassure me?

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

You are being set up for TMJ disorders, headaches, migaines and other problems if only the front teeth hit.The back teeth should carry the bite and the front teeth should touch passively after posterior contact is made.I would talk to the dentist and  let him know you are not ok with only front teeth hitting, a condition called fremitus.This will also cause orthodontic relapse.Ia L Shapira DDDDiplomat, American Academy of Pain ManagementDiplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineFellow and Regent, International College of CranioMandibular OrthopedicsBoard Eligible, American Academy of CrnioFacial PainChiar, American Alliance of TMD OrganizationsThinkBetterLife.com

Shervin Abbaszadeh, DDS · Answer

Dear Shelly57, Being and Orthodontist, and having treated hundreds of Invisalign cases, I can re-assure you that following Invisalign treatment, the back teeth often do not touch initially.  This is very common and your orthodontist is absolutely correct in making the statement that this often occurs with Invisalign patients.  This is due to the thickness of the aligners that you have been biting on for the duration of your treatment and occurs because of the 'bite-block' effect that the aligners have.  A common phenomena in orthodontic treatment. Over the course of a few weeks following the completion of your orthodontic treatment, and reduction in wear of the aligners, the back teeth will settle together and you will one day notice that that problem you feel now has disappeared. If you are being treated by an orthodontic specialist (an Orthodontist) - I would have faith in his/her assessment and treatment as they are the experts in the field.

Open Bite after Invisalign. Can you reassure me?

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Open Bite after Invisalign. Can you reassure me?

Answers (2)

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