It is not too much to ask for a beautiful smile and an enjoyable chewing experience. However, for some people, it is not so easy. Some children are born with crossbites. This is a misalignment of the teeth. It may affect your front teeth or your back teeth. The symptoms of each patient vary.

A crossbite causes your upper teeth to be hidden behind your lower teeth and vice versa. Biting and smiling can be challenging when you have a crossbite. However, modern bite correction options are available to correct this problem, including braces.

What causes a crossbite?

A crossbite occurs when the upper jaw sits inside the lower jaw. Crossbites can be treated by an orthodontist in a variety of ways, all of which are feasible. You might be self-conscious about your smile as well as find eating difficult. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is one of the potentially serious cases. A TMD disorder may cause earaches, jaw pain or discomfort, headaches, and problems with the muscles of the jaw. Our orthodontist can find the root cause of the problem and can prevent TMD and other consequences that affect your dental health and overall well-being.

Types of crossbites

The two types of dental crossbites are anterior and posterior. An anterior crossbite occurs when the incisors are located within the lower jaw. In the posterior crossbite, the back of the jaw is affected and can cause pain and discomfort. A posterior crossbite affects 16% of children, while an anterior crossbite affects only 4–5% of them.

What are the issues caused by crossbites?

Genetics is the most common cause of crossbite in children. The cause is usually genetically determined by the parents or other close family members. In addition to several common causes of crossbite, such as nail-biting, poor chewing habits, or thumb sucking (a frequent childhood habit), it can also be caused by the delayed loss of primary teeth. Having large tonsils or adenoids may aggravate this condition. At your initial consultation, our orthodontist will take x-rays to determine the cause of the crossbite as well as give you advice on how to treat it. 

Effects of crossbites

A misaligned bite can lead to dental issues and bruxism. You may also experience mental or physical issues. This can also lead to jaw muscle tension, tooth decay, and gum disease, which can result in persistent jaw disorders and shoulder, back, and neck pain.

This type of condition must be diagnosed as soon as possible to correct it and prevent future dental and skeletal issues.

Crossbite Treatment

The best time to treat this form of malocclusion is when the patient is a child or in their teens. Adults, on the other hand, can still receive treatment, but it is treated at a much slower pace. According to the American Dental Association, or ADA, an orthodontist should ensure that there is enough room for the teeth to move and that the bite can be enlarged to facilitate the shift. Additionally, the patient will be required to wear an orthodontic appliance during treatment. The following are some common treatment options:

• Maxillary Expander A device will be attached to the palate and placed on your upper teeth by your orthodontist. Using a special key on the device, the maxillary expander gradually widens the upper palate. The device is best suited for children who are still developing their taste buds.
• Removable Expander An adult can gradually increase the size of their upper palate by using expanders. They are worn every night until the desired results are achieved.
• Braces Both metal and ceramic braces are effective for treating crossbites or underbites. Using brackets on each tooth and a wire to connect them, your orthodontist will move each tooth into its correct alignment, moving the misaligned teeth until the bite is corrected.

During the initial phase of development, orthodontic treatment of a crossbite is much less complicated and cost-effective. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment if you are concerned about a possible crossbite.