Smiling without being conscious and living without having chewing problems is something so little you could ask for! But not everyone is blessed with this luxury. Some people are born with teeth and jaw misalignment issues like crossbite.
What Is a Cross Bite?
Crossbite is a bite problem that affects your upper or lower teeth. In this condition, your upper teeth hide behind your lower teeth and sometimes vice versa. Due to this dental issue, biting or smiling can also become challenging.
What Are Different Types of Crossbite?
There are two different types of crossbites:
- Anterior Crossbite
- Posterior Crossbite
Commonly known as an underbite, anterior crossbite is a condition where your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth, making your chin and jaw look abnormal. Crowded teeth and mouth breathing are a few reasons that cause an underbite.
In a posterior crossbite, your back teeth are affected. In this condition, the lower teeth at the back of your mouth overlap the teeth in your top jaw. A posterior crossbite is caused by the same reasons a posterior crossbite is caused, but sometimes it may also be because of the late falling of your baby teeth.
Also Read: Buck Teeth-All You Need to Know From Causes to Treatments
What Are the Causes of Crossbite?
There are several causes of a crossbite; some of them include:
- Genetics
- Prolonged thumb-sucking
- Tongue-thrusting
- Missing teeth
- Bad chewing habits
- Use of pacifiers or bottles past infancy
- Poor matched teeth and jaw
- A mouth or jawbone injury
- Delayed loss of baby teeth
- Unexpected permanent teeth eruption
What Are the Repercussions of Untreated Crossbite?
Untreated crossbite can cause some of the following issues:
- Chipped Tooth
- Gum Disease
- Gum Recession
- TMJ Disorder
When your teeth constantly collide against each other, it can accidentally chip your teeth.
Constant rubbing of teeth against each other can destroy the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities which further leads to gum disease.
Collison of teeth can cause your gum to recede and vulnerable to decay and infection.
Crossbite can also cause painful TMJ disorder.
Also Read: How to Fix an Underbite? Causes & Treatments
How to Fix a Crossbite in Kids?
Thankfully you can fix crossbite problems in kids with either of the following treatments:
- Palate Expander
- Braces Treatment
With the help of a palate expander, you can extend the upper palate of your mouth. It raises the upper jaw to let the lower teeth fit perfectly with the upper teeth. Palate expander is best and easier to use on kids and teenagers as their jaws are growing.
Braces treatment is effective and the most preferred treatment to correct a crossbite and various other kinds of bite problems. Someone as young as a seven-year child can also be treated for crossbite through braces. Braces as used as an appliance to correct the positioning of your teeth and jaw.
How To Fix a Crossbite in Teenagers and Adults?
There are several ways adults and teenagers can be relieved from their crossbite problem.
- Braces
- Invisalign
- Jaw Realignment Surgery
- Elastics
Traditional braces are used for dental correction and are the most effective method for treating all forms of crossbite. Along with dental correction, braces successfully achieve skeletal realignment if you pair them with expanders, elastics, and other appliances. However, the one downside to braces is they are visible, and most adults prefer more discreet treatments. But if visibility is not an issue for you, braces are an excellent solution.
If you have a crossbite due to the misalignment of jaws or teeth, you may be required to wear a palatal expander before wearing braces. It widens your upper jaw, resulting in moving the upper and lower arches to move to the desired position before making space for braces to finish the alignment process.
An Invisalign is a clear and removable teeth aligner that gets your job done just like braces – the only difference is that these are not visible and can be removed before eating. You need to visit your dentist for Invisalign frequently. They can be fitted with additional appliances that are used for targeting crossbite.
In serious crossbite cases, where braces or Invisalign fails to work, your orthodontist may recommend jaw realignment surgery to correct the position of your jaw.
This supportive treatment involves placing elastics rubber bands across your teeth to pressurize them and make appropriate space.
Bottom Line
Crossbite is a bite problem that can be treated with these treatments easily! Book an appointment today with Thurman Orthodontics – a trusted orthodontic clinic in Fresno, and forget your crossbite problems.
Dr. Brian Thurman has spent his entire life enjoying all the beauty that California has to offer. A Fresno native, he still escapes to the ocean or the mountains whenever his busy schedule allows. Driven by his love for natural beauty, Dr. Thurman enjoys creating beautiful smiles and healthy bites that last a lifetime. He is proud to be the only Ivy League trained Orthodontist in the Fresno/Clovis area.