{"id":15028,"date":"2026-09-08T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/anterior-open-bite-causes-treatment-costs-spain\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T01:40:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T23:40:15","slug":"anterior-open-bite-causes-treatment-costs-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/anterior-open-bite-causes-treatment-costs-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Anterior Open Bite: Causes, Treatment and Costs in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"15028\" class=\"elementor elementor-15028 elementor-15015 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0068c22c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0068c22c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcdb3c2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fcdb3c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You close your mouth. Your molars touch. But between your upper and lower incisors there is a gap through which you could almost pass your tongue. In fact, your tongue is probably there right now, resting in that very space. That is no coincidence: it is the central mechanism of <strong>anterior open bite<\/strong>, a malocclusion that many patients discover late and that, for years, they have been told &#8220;is just aesthetic.&#8221; Spoiler: it is not.<\/p><aside class=\"nseo-tldr\" style=\"background: #f5f5f5;padding: 16px;border-radius: 4px;margin: 0 0 1.5rem 0\">\n  <strong>Summary:<\/strong> Anterior open bite is a malocclusion in which the front teeth do not make contact when the mouth is closed. Its causes range from persistent childhood habits to skeletal factors, and its consequences are functional: compromised chewing, accelerated posterior wear and pronunciation problems. It has effective treatment \u2014 with costs in Spain ranging from \u20ac1,500 for interceptive orthodontics to over \u20ac15,000 for orthognathic surgery \u2014 but the earlier it is addressed, the better the prognosis.\n<\/aside>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27ec9fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"27ec9fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platondental.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mordida-abierta.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Profile of a mouth with anterior open bite where the tongue is interposed between the upper and lower teeth\" loading=\"lazy\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Tongue interposition is the most frequent cause of anterior open bite, especially in children. This habit, if it persists, may require functional orthodontic treatment.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-793232fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"793232fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What anterior open bite actually is<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdd6cecd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdd6cecd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Anterior open bite is a malocclusion in which the upper and lower incisor teeth do not make contact when the mouth is closed<\/strong>, leaving a visible space in the front area. The molars do touch \u2014 sometimes with too much force, as we will see \u2014 but the front section remains suspended in the air.<\/p><p>This condition is not rare: various epidemiological studies place its prevalence between 1.5% and 11% of the population, with significant variations depending on age and ethnic group, making it a frequent malocclusion in orthodontic practice. The problem is that many of these patients arrive late, when the pattern is already established and the functional consequences have been accumulating for years.<\/p><p>It is important to distinguish two main types: <strong>dental open bite<\/strong>, caused by habits such as thumb sucking, prolonged dummy use or tongue interposition during swallowing, in which the teeth shift due to constant pressure without a relevant bony discrepancy; and <strong>skeletal open bite<\/strong>, which is rooted in an abnormal jaw growth pattern, more complex to treat and which in adults may require orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d791b5f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d791b5f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dental vs. skeletal open bite: comparison table<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2abc13c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2abc13c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before going into causes and treatments, it is worth placing your case. The distinction between dental and skeletal origin changes everything: the prognosis, the tools and the cost. This table summarises the key differences.<\/p><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:1.5rem 0\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Characteristic<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Dental origin<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Skeletal origin<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Main cause<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Oral habits (dummy, digit sucking, tongue thrust)<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Abnormal bone growth pattern (dolichofacial pattern, mandibular rotation)<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Typical age of onset<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Childhood and early adolescence<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Adolescence and adulthood<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Associated facial pattern<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Variable; no specific facial features<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Frequently dolichofacial (long and narrow face)<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Cephalometric diagnosis<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Minimal vertical overjet index; normal facial axis<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Steiner\/Ricketts analysis: open facial axis, increased mandibular angle<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Treatment options<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Fixed orthodontics or aligners + myofunctional therapy \/ orofacial speech therapy<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Orthodontics + orthognathic surgery (in adults); functional appliances (during growth)<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Prognosis without treatment<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Progressively worsens; accelerated posterior wear<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Does not self-correct; high risk of TMJ dysfunction<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Risk of relapse<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">High if the causative habit is not corrected<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Low if surgery + orthodontics are correctly combined<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Indicative cost in Spain<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac1,500\u2013\u20ac5,000 (orthodontics + myofunctional therapy)<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac15,000\u2013\u20ac25,000 (surgery + pre- and post-orthodontics)<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5294c52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5294c52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The leading role of the tongue: tongue interposition<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8524b8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8524b8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Here lies the core of the matter. <strong>The tongue is the most powerful and persistent muscle in the oral cavity<\/strong>, and when it habitually adopts an incorrect position, it has the capacity to remodel the position of the teeth with an effectiveness that no other factor can match.<\/p><p>Under normal conditions, when swallowing, the tongue presses upward against the palate. But in many people \u2014 especially those with dental open bite \u2014 the tongue interposes itself between the incisors at the moment of swallowing. This pattern is called <strong>atypical swallowing or tongue thrust<\/strong>, and it occurs thousands of times a day: every time you swallow saliva, every time you eat, every time you speak.<\/p><p>It is not a single blow that opens the bite, but the sum of thousands of small daily pushes that, accumulated over months and years, shift the incisors outward and upward, preventing them from erupting to their correct position.<\/p><p>Tongue interposition may be the original cause of the problem or it may be an adaptive consequence: the tongue &#8220;learned&#8221; to occupy that space because it was the only place it could fit when swallowing. In either case, <strong>if the tongue pattern is not corrected, any orthodontic treatment runs the risk of relapsing<\/strong>. That is why <a href=\"\/terapia-miofuncional\/\">myofunctional therapy<\/a> is not an optional complement, but part of the protocol in most cases of dental open bite.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb465cbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb465cbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Other causes: childhood habits, mouth breathing and skeletal factors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcfc2486 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dcfc2486\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Open bite rarely has a single cause. In many patients we find a combination of factors that reinforce each other. Understanding them helps explain why treatment must be comprehensive.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f3386e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f3386e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Oral habits in childhood<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90b9ec4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90b9ec4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In childhood, prolonged habits such as continued dummy use, digit sucking or tongue interposition during swallowing can prevent the incisors from erupting correctly or alter their inclination. The key word here is &#8220;prolonged&#8221;: a dummy used until the age of two rarely leaves permanent consequences; one that persists beyond three or four years, especially during sleeping hours, is a different scenario altogether. <strong>The persistence of these habits beyond the first years of life is associated with a higher risk of developing anterior open bite.<\/strong><\/p><p>The problem is that many of these habits go unnoticed or are minimised. &#8220;They&#8217;ll grow out of it,&#8221; people say at home. And sometimes that happens. But when it does not, the muscular pattern becomes ingrained and the malocclusion sets in. Detecting an open bite in its initial phase \u2014 when habits are still modifiable \u2014 makes an enormous difference to the treatment prognosis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5bc0d57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5bc0d57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chronic mouth breathing<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37d415fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37d415fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A child who habitually breathes through the mouth \u2014 due to allergies, hypertrophied adenoids or simply out of habit \u2014 profoundly alters the muscular balance of their face. Chronic mouth breathing encourages the tongue to adopt a low and forward position instead of resting against the palate. The result, over time, can be an open bite with both a dental and a skeletal component.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a871a457 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a871a457\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Skeletal and genetic factors<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6c7c67b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6c7c67b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In adolescents and adults, anterior open bite often has a skeletal component. Excessive vertical growth of the upper jaw or mandibular rotation \u2014 features characteristic of the <strong>dolichofacial pattern<\/strong> \u2014 can generate the lack of anterior contact. Cephalometric analysis according to Steiner and Ricketts criteria allows the vertical overjet index and the facial axis to be quantified, data that are essential for deciding whether the case can be resolved with orthodontics alone or requires surgery. <strong>This is the most complex type to treat<\/strong> and the one that most frequently requires orthognathic surgery in adulthood.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75b41eed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75b41eed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\"It's just aesthetic\": the myth that needs debunking<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-329896c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"329896c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is the belief that causes the most harm. That open bite is an image problem, that if it does not bother you visually there is nothing to be done. The clinical reality is different, and it is worth putting it in perspective.<\/p><p>Anterior open bite produces masticatory, phonetic and articular consequences that accumulate silently over years. This is not a list of possible inconveniences: it is the clinical summary of the real impact of this malocclusion on the daily life of those who suffer from it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6b3f2bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e6b3f2bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Compromised chewing and posterior overload<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9e7d1e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9e7d1e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the first difficulties appears when trying to bite food with the incisors. This limitation, characteristic of untreated open bites, forces the posterior teeth to be overloaded, which can accelerate their wear. Over time, the molars and premolars \u2014 which are not designed to take on the entire masticatory function \u2014 begin to show signs of premature wear, microfractures and increased sensitivity. <strong>It is silent damage that accumulates over years before becoming evident.<\/strong> Many patients with untreated open bites only connect these symptoms to the malocclusion when the wear is already considerable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6aa87f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e6aa87f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pronunciation problems<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-914b0b96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"914b0b96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some people with open bite may experience difficulties pronouncing certain sounds. Phonemes that require the tongue to contact the incisors \u2014 such as &#8220;s&#8221;, &#8220;z&#8221; or &#8220;d&#8221; \u2014 are particularly affected. Many adult patients have lived with these difficulties for so long that they no longer perceive them as abnormal, but their interlocutors do notice them. <strong>Orofacial speech therapy<\/strong> specifically addresses these articulatory patterns in coordination with orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d8f2e54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8d8f2e54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Temporomandibular joint dysfunction<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24b026a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24b026a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The imbalance in the bite can cause pain and dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When the masticatory load is not correctly distributed among all the teeth, the joint that connects the jaw to the skull ends up paying the price: clicking, pain when opening the mouth, headaches of mandibular origin. Not all cases of open bite lead to TMJ problems, but the risk is real and should not be ignored.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f35dbf0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f35dbf0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How it is diagnosed: beyond looking at the mouth<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e6c2342 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5e6c2342\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platondental.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mordida-abierta-como-se-diagnostica-mas-alla-de-mirar-la-boca.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Open bite diagnostic methods including dental X-ray, cephalometric measurements and clinical evaluation\" loading=\"lazy\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The diagnosis of anterior open bite requires analysis beyond visual observation: X-rays, cephalometric measurements and evaluation of habits such as tongue thrust allow a stable treatment plan to be designed.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110d5d4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"110d5d4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A correct diagnosis of open bite goes far beyond observing that the front teeth do not touch. <strong>Correct diagnosis requires a complete cephalometric and radiological analysis<\/strong>, since treating only the position of the teeth without considering the facial pattern can produce unstable results.<\/p><p>At Cl\u00ednicas Dentales Plat\u00f3n, the study of an open bite includes a panoramic X-ray, a lateral skull teleradiograph with cephalometric analysis according to Steiner and Ricketts parameters, and in many cases a CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) to evaluate the bone structure in three dimensions. The swallowing pattern and tongue posture are also analysed, because without that information it is impossible to design a treatment plan that lasts. The measurement of the <strong>vertical overjet index<\/strong> and the facial axis determines whether the origin is dental, skeletal or mixed, and everything that follows depends on that answer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5abbc63a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5abbc63a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Treatment in children: the window of opportunity not to be missed<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a5355de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a5355de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If there is one message that orthodontists repeat in the clinic \u2014 and that the evidence supports \u2014 it is this: <strong>treating open bite during growth is incomparably simpler than doing so in adulthood<\/strong>. The reason is simple: the bones are still forming, habits are more modifiable and functional appliances can redirect development without the need for surgery.<\/p><p>The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends the first orthodontic evaluation at age 7, when there are already enough permanent teeth to detect malocclusion patterns in their initial phase. In Spain, the clinical consensus places the <strong>optimal window for interceptive treatment between the ages of 7 and 11<\/strong>, when the child is still in an active growth phase and appliances work with greater effectiveness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab10ca7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab10ca7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Functional appliances in mixed dentition<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-396e1e0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"396e1e0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In this age range, the most commonly used appliances for dental open bite are:<\/p><ul>\n  <li><strong>Tongue crib:<\/strong> a fixed or removable device placed in the palate that acts as a physical stop for the tongue, preventing it from interposing between the incisors during swallowing. By eliminating tongue pressure, the lip musculature helps reposition the front teeth to their correct place. Its usual duration is 6 to 12 months.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Functional appliances (Frankel or Simoes Network type):<\/strong> these act directly on the orofacial musculature \u2014 lips, tongue and cheeks \u2014 to balance the forces that shape bone development. They are especially useful when there is a mild associated skeletal component.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Quad-helix:<\/strong> a fixed expander that widens the palate and simultaneously corrects the transverse position of the upper jaw, which is frequently altered in patients with chronic mouth breathing.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>A review published in the <em>Revista Cient\u00edfica Sanum<\/em> (January 2025) underlines that <strong>early interceptive treatment can eliminate the alterations that disrupt the balance of oral forces<\/strong>, preventing the open bite from becoming established and significantly reducing the likelihood of needing surgery in adulthood. The child&#8217;s motivation and family involvement are determining factors: an appliance left in a drawer treats nothing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5d552b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5d552b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Treatment options in adolescents and adults: beyond braces<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23dc2e04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"23dc2e04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When someone discovers in adulthood that they have an open bite, the first question is usually: &#8220;Do I have to wear braces?&#8221; The honest answer is: it depends. And there are more options than most people imagine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cb124be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4cb124be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fixed orthodontics and clear aligners<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cb6eef6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4cb6eef6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In adolescent and adult patients with anterior open bite of dental origin, <a href=\"\/ortodoncia\/\">fixed orthodontics<\/a> or <a href=\"\/alineadores-invisibles\/\">clear aligners<\/a> can reposition the teeth precisely and in a controlled manner. Aligners have proven to be especially effective in cases of mild or moderate open bite, and have the advantage of being practically invisible during treatment. <strong>Orthodontics acts on tooth position, but does not by itself correct the muscular pattern that caused the problem.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00f7d91b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"00f7d91b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Myofunctional therapy and orofacial speech therapy: retraining the tongue<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad9b12c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad9b12c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Imagine you have spent years using a pen with your left hand even though you are right-handed: the muscles have learned that pattern and repeat it automatically. Retraining the tongue works the same way: it requires specific exercises, conscious repetition and time. That is exactly what myofunctional therapy does. <strong>If the functional cause \u2014 such as tongue thrust or an altered muscular pattern \u2014 is not corrected, there is a real risk of relapse in open bite<\/strong>, regardless of how well the orthodontics went. That is why, in certain cases, orthodontics is combined with <a href=\"\/terapia-miofuncional\/\">myofunctional therapy<\/a> to retrain tongue position and balance the orofacial musculature.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a506a82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a506a82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Orthognathic surgery: when and what it involves<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f47a843 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f47a843\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In adults with severe skeletal open bite, orthognathic surgery is the only route that offers a stable and definitive correction. It is not a decision taken lightly, but it is not as exceptional as it seems: it is the standard indication when cephalometric analysis confirms a bony discrepancy that orthodontics alone cannot compensate.<\/p><p><strong>What does it involve?<\/strong> The maxillofacial surgeon surgically repositions one or both jaws \u2014 upper jaw, mandible or both (bimaxillary surgery) \u2014 to correct the skeletal relationship. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and usually requires a brief hospital stay, typically less than 24 hours thanks to current minimally invasive protocols.<\/p><p><strong>The treatment has three phases:<\/strong><\/p><ol>\n  <li><strong>Pre-orthodontics (6\u201318 months):<\/strong> the teeth are aligned within each arch so that they fit correctly after surgery. Paradoxically, during this phase the open bite may appear to worsen before it improves.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Orthognathic surgery:<\/strong> the intervention itself. Prior virtual planning allows the movements to be simulated and the functional and aesthetic outcome to be anticipated.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Post-orthodontics (6\u201312 months):<\/strong> fine adjustment of the occlusion and a retention phase to stabilise the result.<\/li>\n<\/ol><p>The functional recovery time \u2014 returning to eating normally, speaking without discomfort \u2014 is usually between 4 and 8 weeks. Residual swelling may persist for several months.<\/p><p><strong>Is it covered by the National Health Service?<\/strong> The public health system covers orthognathic surgery when there is a documented functional indication: severe dentofacial deformities, significant chewing impairment or congenital malformations. However, access depends on the assessment of the maxillofacial surgery department of the reference hospital and the criteria of each autonomous community, and waiting times can be considerable. Importantly, <strong>the orthodontics before and after surgery is normally outside public coverage<\/strong>, even when the surgical intervention itself is covered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d9216d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8d9216d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How much does treating open bite cost in Spain: real ranges for 2025\u20132026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21d38f49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21d38f49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is the question most asked by those who come to the clinic after reading about the malocclusion. And it makes sense: the cost varies enormously depending on the type of open bite, the patient&#8217;s age and the chosen treatment route. Here are the updated indicative ranges, so you can go to your first appointment with a realistic idea of the investment.<\/p><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:1.5rem 0\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Type of treatment<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Indicative range in Spain<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc;text-align:left\">Notes<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Interceptive orthodontics (children)<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac800\u2013\u20ac2,000<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Tongue crib, functional appliances; duration 6\u201312 months<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Metal or ceramic braces<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac1,500\u2013\u20ac4,500<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Complex open bite cases at the upper end of the range<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Clear aligners<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac2,500\u2013\u20ac5,500<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Effective in mild-to-moderate cases; complex cases may exceed \u20ac5,000<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Myofunctional therapy<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac500\u2013\u20ac1,500<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Essential complement in cases of dental origin; does not replace orthodontics<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Orthognathic surgery (private)<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac12,500\u2013\u20ac20,000 (surgery only)<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Pre- and post-orthodontics added separately; total cost may exceed \u20ac25,000<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\"><strong>Post-treatment retention<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">\u20ac200\u2013\u20ac500<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:10px;border:1px solid #ccc\">Fixed lingual retainer + removable night retainer; essential to prevent relapse<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table><p>Some factors that move the price within those ranges: the city (Madrid and Barcelona have rates 15\u201320% above the national average), the complexity of the case and whether treatment is carried out at a specialist clinic or a dental franchise. <strong>Most clinics offer financing over 12, 18, 24 or 36 months interest-free<\/strong>, which allows the cost to be spread without resorting to external financing. Always ask whether the quote includes check-ups, retainers and any possible aligner refinements.<\/p><p>Regarding private dental insurance: some policies cover part of orthodontics, but conditions vary greatly between policies. Before taking out a policy or starting treatment, verify in writing exactly what your insurance covers, whether there are waiting periods and whether orthodontics prior to orthognathic surgery is included \u2014 it usually is not.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77ae92a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"77ae92a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Retention: what happens when orthodontics ends<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b74dd895 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b74dd895\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Finishing active treatment does not mean the work is done. In open bite, <strong>the retention phase is especially critical<\/strong> because the soft tissues \u2014 tongue, lips, cheeks \u2014 have muscular memory and can exert enough pressure to gradually reopen the space if not controlled.<\/p><p>The standard protocol in open bite cases includes:<\/p><ul>\n  <li><strong>Fixed lingual retainer:<\/strong> a thin metal bar bonded to the inner surface of the lower incisors (and sometimes the upper ones) that passively maintains the achieved position, without the patient having to remember to put it in.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Removable night retainer:<\/strong> a transparent or acrylic splint worn during sleep. It complements the fixed retainer and acts as a second line of defence against any tendency to relapse.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Myofunctional follow-up:<\/strong> if the cause was an altered tongue pattern, myofunctional therapy sessions do not end on the day the braces are removed. A follow-up of 6 to 12 months after active treatment consolidates the new swallowing pattern and significantly reduces the risk of the open bite reopening.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Think of it this way: orthodontics moves the teeth to their correct position, but it is the muscles that decide whether they stay there. Retention is the contract between treatment and time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49d9d373 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"49d9d373\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Warning signs: when to book an appointment without delay<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb20567f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb20567f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It is not always easy to know whether what you see in the mirror is an open bite or simply a smile with a gap between the teeth. These are the signs that justify a consultation without delay:<\/p><ul>\n  <li>You can see a space between the front teeth when you close your mouth with the molars in contact.<\/li>\n  <li>Your child uses a dummy or sucks their finger beyond the age of 3.<\/li>\n  <li>You notice that when swallowing, the tongue pushes against the front teeth.<\/li>\n  <li>You have difficulty biting certain foods (bread, apple, sandwiches).<\/li>\n  <li>There is visible wear on the molars or increased sensitivity in that area.<\/li>\n  <li>You experience clicking or pain in the jaw joint (TMJ).<\/li>\n  <li>A child has pronunciation problems that persist beyond the age of 5\u20136.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>In any of these cases, <strong>an early evaluation commits you to nothing and can save you years of treatment<\/strong> \u2014 and several thousand euros \u2014 if the problem is detected in its interceptive phase.<\/p><section class=\"nseo-faq\">\n  <h2>Frequently asked questions about open bite<\/h2>\n  <details>\n    <summary>Does open bite close on its own over time?<\/summary>\n    <p>In young children, some dental open bites \u2014 especially those caused by a dummy \u2014 can self-correct if the habit is eliminated before the age of three. In adolescents and adults, the malocclusion is already established and does not correct itself without intervention. Waiting only prolongs the time during which the posterior teeth are overloaded and the incorrect muscular pattern remains active.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n  <details>\n    <summary>Can I correct open bite with clear aligners alone?<\/summary>\n    <p>It depends on the origin and severity. In cases of mild or moderate dental open bite, clear aligners are an effective and increasingly used option. In cases of severe skeletal origin, aligners can improve the situation but do not replace orthognathic surgery. Prior diagnosis is essential to know which tool corresponds to each case.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n  <details>\n    <summary>What is myofunctional therapy and is it really necessary?<\/summary>\n    <p>Myofunctional therapy is a set of exercises aimed at retraining the position and movement of the tongue during rest, swallowing and speech. It is necessary when tongue thrust or tongue interposition is the cause or a maintaining factor of the open bite. Without it, the risk of the malocclusion reappearing after orthodontic treatment is significantly higher.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n  <details>\n    <summary>How long does open bite treatment take in adults?<\/summary>\n    <p>Conventional orthodontic treatments for open bite in adults typically range from one to three years, depending on the complexity of the case. Cases requiring orthognathic surgery may take longer, as they include a pre-operative orthodontic phase and a post-operative adjustment and retention phase. Each case is different, and the actual duration can only be estimated after a complete study.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n  <details>\n    <summary>Can open bite cause problems in the jaw joint?<\/summary>\n    <p>Yes. When the anterior teeth do not make contact, the entire masticatory load falls on the molars and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Over time, this imbalance can cause joint pain, clicking when opening the mouth, limited opening and headaches of mandibular origin. Not all patients with open bite develop these symptoms, but the risk is real and justifies treatment beyond aesthetics.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n<\/section><section class=\"nseo-sources\"><h2>Sources<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/es\/ortodoncia\/cirugia-ortognatica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Orthognathic surgery: price, what it is, types and how it is performed<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/us-uk.bookimed.com\/clinics\/country=spain\/procedure=orthognathic-surgery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Orthognathic surgery in Spain \u2014 get 3 clinics with costs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smysecret.com\/blog\/ortodoncia\/como-curar-mordida-abierta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is open bite and how is it corrected? | Smysecret<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acierto.com\/seguros-salud\/cirugia-maxilofacial-seguridad-social\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maxillofacial Surgery in the National Health Service | Is it covered?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/clinicadentaledo.es\/blog\/cuanto-cuesta-una-ortodoncia-en-espana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How much does orthodontics cost? Prices in Spain in 2025<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anterior open bite: causes, types, functional consequences and treatment options in Spain, with updated costs for 2025-2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15028"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15109,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15028\/revisions\/15109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}