What are bite blockers — and why do I need them?
If your doctor has mentioned bite blockers as part of your orthodontic treatment, you might be wondering what they are and why they are necessary. Here is everything you need to know.
What are bite blockers?
Bite blockers — also known as bite turbos or bite ramps — are small structures placed on specific teeth to temporarily prevent the upper and lower teeth from biting together fully. They are most commonly placed on the:
Upper front teeth — on the back surface, in the form of small ramps or pads
Upper or lower back teeth — in the form of small acrylic or composite platforms placed on the chewing surfaces of the molars
They come in different forms depending on the clinical need:
Composite bite turbos — small tooth-coloured composite build-ups bonded directly onto the teeth
Acrylic bite blocks — larger acrylic platforms cemented onto the back teeth
Bite ramps on aligners — some aligner systems incorporate bite ramps directly into the aligner itself
Why do I need bite blockers?
Bite blockers serve a very important clinical purpose — and your doctor will only recommend them when they are genuinely needed for your treatment. Here are the most common reasons they are used:
To protect brackets from breaking
In patients with a deep bite — where the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth — the lower front teeth can bite directly onto the brackets of the lower braces when the mouth closes
This causes brackets to repeatedly pop off, which slows treatment significantly
Bite blockers on the upper front teeth create a ramp that prevents the lower teeth from reaching the lower brackets — protecting them and keeping treatment on track
To correct a deep bite
A deep bite — where the upper front teeth excessively cover the lower front teeth — is one of the most common bite problems treated with orthodontics
Bite blockers work by holding the back teeth slightly apart, which allows the back teeth to continue erupting and the front teeth to be intruded — gradually reducing the depth of the overbite over time
This is one of the most effective ways to open a deep bite during orthodontic treatment
To facilitate tooth movement in aligner treatment
In aligner treatment, bite ramps built into the aligners or bonded onto the teeth help to disengage the bite — preventing the back teeth from touching
This allows the aligners to work more freely and execute tooth movements more efficiently, particularly for deep bite correction and anterior tooth movements
To correct a crossbite or facilitate jaw movement
In some cases, bite blockers on the back teeth are used to disengage the bite and allow the upper or lower jaw to shift into a better position — particularly when correcting a crossbite
What to expect when bite blockers are first placed
Your bite will feel very different immediately after bite blockers are placed — this is completely normal and expected. You will likely only be able to bite on the bite blockers themselves and your back or front teeth may not touch at all
Eating will feel very awkward and uncomfortable at first — particularly in the first 1–2 weeks. Stick to soft foods during this period
Speech may feel different — particularly if bite blockers are placed on the front teeth. A temporary lisp is common and resolves as your mouth adapts — usually within 1–2 weeks
Jaw muscle soreness and fatigue in the first few days is completely normal — your muscles are working in an unfamiliar position
Take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed during the initial adjustment period
Most patients adapt significantly within 1–2 weeks — the bite blockers become part of your new normal faster than you might expect
Eating with bite blockers
Stick to soft foods for the first 1–2 weeks — porridge, scrambled eggs, yoghurt, soft tofu, mashed potato, congee, and soup
Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods throughout the time bite blockers are in place — these can dislodge or chip the bite blockers
Cut all food into small pieces to reduce the force required when eating
Avoid biting directly into hard foods such as apples, crusty bread, or hard candy
Avoid chewing gum — it will stick to and potentially dislodge the bite blockers
Chewing may feel uneven and awkward while bite blockers are in place — this is temporary and will resolve once they are removed
Oral hygiene with bite blockers
Keeping bite blockers clean is essential — food and plaque accumulate easily around them.
Brush after every meal — pay particular attention to cleaning around and under the bite blockers where food tends to get trapped
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and angle the bristles to clean all surfaces of the bite blocker and the tooth underneath
Use an interdental brush to clean around the edges of the bite blockers — particularly where they meet the tooth surface
Use a water flosser to flush out food and plaque from around and underneath the bite blockers — this is one of the most effective cleaning tools for this appliance
Continue flossing between all teeth as normal
Use fluoride toothpaste and consider a fluoride mouthwash — the areas around bite blockers are particularly susceptible to plaque accumulation and decay if not kept clean
How long will bite blockers stay in?
The duration varies depending on the clinical reason for their placement and how quickly the bite responds to treatment
Bite blockers used for deep bite correction are typically in place for several months — until your doctor is satisfied that sufficient bite opening has been achieved
Bite blockers used to protect brackets are usually removed or reduced once the deep bite has been corrected enough that the lower teeth no longer pose a risk to the brackets
Your doctor will monitor progress at each appointment and remove the bite blockers when the time is right — you will not need to wear them for longer than clinically necessary
How are bite blockers removed?
Removal is carried out by your doctor and is straightforward and painless
The composite or acrylic material is carefully removed from the tooth surface and any rough edges are polished smooth
Your teeth are not damaged by the placement or removal of bite blockers
After removal, your bite will feel different again as your teeth settle into their new positions — this is completely normal
💡 Dr Watt's tip: Bite blockers are one of those things that feel very alarming when first placed — suddenly your bite feels completely wrong and eating feels impossible! But I promise this is temporary. Your muscles and your bite adapt much faster than you expect, and the bite blockers are doing an incredibly important job in the background — correcting your bite and protecting your treatment. Stick with soft foods for the first couple of weeks and give yourself time to adjust. You've got this! 😊
