A crossbite is a type of bite where the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth. Braces are a great tool at correcting a crossbite. Your specialist orthodontist will help choose the best treatment for you or your child.
What causes a crossbite?
A crossbite is a misalignment of teeth which can affect a single tooth or a group of teeth. It can involve the front teeth, back teeth or both. Your orthodontist is an expert at straightening teeth and fixing crossbites. They can use a number of different braces to do this and can review your case and discuss the best brace option for you or your child. Reasons for a crossbite developing are:
- a genetic predisposition to a narrow upper jaw or wide lower jaw
- delayed loss of baby teeth or abnormal eruption of permanent teeth
- habits such as thumb sucking
Why do I need to fix a crossbite?
A crossbite may reveal an underlying jaw problem. Therefore it is best to fix a cross bite at a young age, when the face and jaws are still developing, before problems occur.
What happens if I don’t correct a crossbite?
- The jaw can move to one side
- Tooth tissue (enamel or dentine) can be irreversibly worn down
- Teeth pushed out of place, leading to bone loss or gum recession
- Jaw discomfort or clicking jaws
- Worsening of the bite over time
What factors will your specialist orthodontist look at when deciding on treatment of a crossbite?
Specialist orthodontists, like Dr Christine or Dr Sinead, are experts at moving teeth. They will look at the reason why the cross bite developed and look at a number of factors before deciding on treatment:
- the causative factors
- the severity of the crossbite
- age of the patient
- tooth position
- patient preference
Treatment options
Treatment generally involves making the upper jaw wider. Palatal expanders widen the top jaw and can be fixed to or removable from the teeth. Fixed braces, clear aligners and/or elastics are then be used to move the teeth in to the correct position.
Severe cases or a crossbite in a non-growing patient may need more complex treatment for example, a bone supported expander (mini-implants) or surgery to widen the upper jaw.
Why should I see an orthodontist for this?
A trained orthodontic specialist is an expert at straightening teeth and aligning the jaws. They will can help determine which treatment is best for you. Here is some more information on the benefits of seeing a specialist orthodontist https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/is-my-dentist-also-an-orthodontist//
At Navan Orthodontics, Dr Sinead and Dr Christine are both specialist orthodontists. We treat patients from all over Meath and the surrounding counties on a full time basis and are experts in their field. Don’t forget that early correction is best and this can start from as young as age 7 after the front adult teeth erupt. If you would like to be seen for an orthodontic consultation please click on the link for more information on becoming a patient or just give us a call https://navanorthodontics.ie/becoming-a-patient/