Bite blocks are small, temporary additions used in orthodontic treatment to correct the bite. While the exact time you wear them is highly individualized, understanding their function and the factors influencing their removal helps set realistic expectations.
What Bite Blocks Are and Why They Are Used
Bite blocks, sometimes called bite turbos or ramps, are small appliances typically made from a tooth-colored composite resin or acrylic material. They are temporarily cemented onto the chewing surfaces of back molars or the tongue side of upper front teeth. Their primary function is to create a physical barrier that prevents the full closure of the jaw, keeping the upper and lower teeth from touching.
This separation of the arches is important for two main reasons. First, it prevents damage to newly placed orthodontic brackets on the opposing arch, particularly in patients with a deep bite where the front teeth overlap excessively. Second, this occlusal interference allows the teeth to move into their corrected positions without being obstructed by the bite, facilitating the necessary vertical and horizontal movement required to correct malocclusion.
Standard Treatment Timeline and Variability
For most orthodontic patients, bite blocks are temporary and are worn for an average period of six to nine months. This duration covers the initial phase of treatment where the most significant bite correction is achieved.
However, it is not uncommon for the treatment time to extend up to twelve months, depending on the complexity of the case. The duration is directly related to the rate at which your teeth and jaw adapt to the new alignment and the speed of the desired tooth movement. In cases where the bite issue is less severe, they may be needed for only a few months. The orthodontist will monitor the progress of the bite opening and will only remove the blocks once the teeth no longer come into contact with the brackets.
Key Factors Influencing Treatment Length
The standard timeline can shift based on several distinct factors. The initial severity of the malocclusion, particularly how deep the overbite is, plays a major role in determining the length of wear. A more severe deep bite requires more time to erupt the posterior teeth and correct the excessive overlap.
A patient’s age and biological response to treatment also influence the timeline. Adolescents, whose bone structures are still developing, often experience faster tooth movement compared to adults. Compliance is another major factor, as dietary restrictions, such as avoiding hard or sticky foods, are necessary to prevent the blocks from breaking or falling off. If the blocks are repeatedly damaged, the treatment can be slowed down because the corrective force is temporarily lost. The type of bite block used, whether they are placed on the molars (posterior bite blocks) or behind the incisors (anterior bite turbos), can also affect the specific movement required and thus the duration.
Life After Bite Blocks
Once the bite has opened sufficiently and the teeth are no longer at risk of hitting the brackets, your orthodontist will determine that the bite blocks have served their purpose. The removal process is generally quick and straightforward, involving the use of specialized tools to gently detach the composite material from the tooth surface. Any remaining material is then polished away, leaving the tooth undamaged.
Immediately following removal, the patient may notice a strange or “new” sensation in their bite because the posterior teeth have not fully made contact for several months. This feeling is temporary as the bite gradually settles into its new, corrected position. After the bite blocks are removed, the treatment typically progresses to the next phase, which may include the continued alignment of the teeth using the full bracket system. This subsequent stage is designed to refine the final tooth positions before the eventual transition to wearing a retainer, which is necessary to maintain the corrected bite long-term.