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If you’ve ever wondered, “Can night guards help with open bite?” the short answer is: they can protect your teeth, but they can’t close the gap. Open bites often involve complex jaw and tooth positions, so while night guards cushion your bite and manage grinding, they don’t realign your smile. For long-term correction, clear aligners like NewSmile can help restore balance and proper vertical dimension.
“Night guards are protectors — not fixers. They safeguard your bite while aligners and orthodontics reshape it.”
An open bite occurs when your upper and lower teeth don’t meet when your mouth closes. This can make chewing difficult and may cause speech issues or jaw tension. Night guards can offer short-term relief by protecting your teeth from grinding forces and preventing enamel wear — especially if bruxism (teeth grinding) is part of the problem.
However, while night guards may protect teeth and ease pressure, they do not move teeth or close the gap of an open bite. In fact, prolonged use of a thick night guard can sometimes slightly increase the open space if not properly fitted, due to changes in vertical dimension and jaw posture.
“Night guards are like seatbelts for your teeth — they don’t stop the accident but minimize the damage.”
It’s important to understand that night guards don’t correct vertical discrepancies. The main goal of open bite treatment is to bring the teeth into contact, and that requires tooth movement or jaw alignment adjustments. Here’s what night guards cannot do:
That’s why many patients with open bite symptoms use night guards for comfort while pursuing orthodontic correction. Custom-fitted aligners are particularly effective because they control vertical tooth movement — something guards simply can’t do.
Modern clear aligners offer a more effective approach to open bite correction by adjusting both the angle and height of the teeth. NewSmile aligners, for example, use precision design to gently move teeth vertically and close bite gaps over time — all while remaining comfortable and nearly invisible.
If you’d like to explore aligners as an option, you can check out this review comparing the best affordable aligner brands, including NewSmile, for insight from real customers and experts.
No, they protect teeth but do not move them. They’re mainly used to prevent wear or reduce grinding-related strain.
A thick or ill-fitting night guard might slightly increase spacing by altering jaw position. Custom guards help prevent that.
Mild to moderate open bites can often be corrected with clear aligners like NewSmile; severe cases may require orthodontic or surgical care.
In many mild cases, yes — aligners can close gaps in 6–12 months, depending on compliance and bite severity.
No, aligners already act as protective trays while correcting alignment. Use night guards only before or after treatment if recommended.
Night guards play an important role in protecting your teeth and reducing discomfort, but when it comes to an open bite, they’re not the solution — they’re the safeguard. For a lasting change, many people transition from night guards to NewSmile clear aligners, which can close gaps, control vertical dimension, and create a balanced smile. It’s the smarter way to move from protection to true correction.
To learn more about aligner options, you can check out this review featuring NewSmile and other affordable clear aligner brands.
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