The modern orthodontic journey often involves small, fixed accessories designed to make tooth and jaw realignment more efficient. These components work alongside braces to address specific mechanical challenges. Among the most common tools is the bite turbo, a temporary measure intended to facilitate successful and timely correction of the bite relationship.
What Bite Turbos Are and Why They Are Used
Bite turbos are small, temporary mounds typically constructed from composite resin or sometimes metal attachments. These devices are strategically bonded to the back teeth or, more commonly, to the tongue-side surface of the upper front teeth. Their fundamental purpose is to create a slight gap that prevents the upper and lower teeth from fully coming together when the patient closes their mouth.
The primary reason for their placement is to protect the lower orthodontic brackets from damage caused by an excessive vertical overlap, known as a deep bite. In a deep bite, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth significantly, risking contact with, and potential damage to, the lower brackets. This contact risks dislodging or breaking the brackets, interrupting the treatment timeline.
By preventing this full closure, the bite turbos essentially “open” the bite, creating the necessary clearance for teeth to move freely. This lack of contact allows the lower teeth to move forward and outward, and the upper teeth to move upward and backward, initiating the correction. The slight pressure applied when biting down also encourages the back teeth to slowly erupt and settle into a more favorable vertical position. This process protects the hardware and accelerates the overall correction of the jaw alignment.
Factors Influencing Removal Time
The duration a patient wears bite turbos is specific to their individual treatment needs and progress. While temporary, the typical time frame for wear is generally between six and nine months. This period is usually sufficient for the necessary vertical and horizontal changes in the bite to occur. Patients with minor corrections may only require them for a few months, while complex cases might extend the wear time up to a year.
The most significant factor determining removal is the rate of occlusal change, or how quickly the bite relationship is corrected. The orthodontist removes the turbos once the teeth have moved enough to prevent the upper teeth from contacting the lower brackets. This is confirmed using articulating paper to check that multiple back teeth on both sides are making simultaneous contact, indicating the deep bite has been adequately corrected.
Patient compliance with all orthodontic instructions, particularly the consistent wearing of elastics if prescribed, also influences the speed of correction. The initial severity of the malocclusion directly correlates with the time required to achieve a safe bite relationship. The turbos remain in place until the orthodontist is confident the new tooth positioning is stable enough to proceed without the risk of bracket interference.
Managing Daily Life While Wearing Turbos
The initial adjustment period after receiving bite turbos can present temporary challenges. Patients may experience mild soreness or discomfort in the teeth and jaw, which is a normal reaction to the change in the bite mechanism. This discomfort typically subsides within the first few days to a week as the mouth adapts to the presence of the attachments.
Chewing and speaking may feel awkward initially, and some patients develop a slight lisp, particularly when the turbos are placed behind the front teeth. To accommodate the altered bite, patients are advised to adhere to a diet consisting of soft foods during the first week. Hard, sticky, or crunchy foods must be avoided throughout the period of wear, as these can easily dislodge or break the turbos.
If a bite turbo breaks or falls off, it is important to contact the orthodontist immediately for a repair appointment. Ignoring a lost turbo can delay treatment progress and reintroduce the risk of bracket damage. The final removal of the turbos is a quick, painless process performed by the orthodontist using specialized dental tools once treatment goals are met.