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The crossbite is defined as an abnormal relation of one or more teeth of one arch to the opposing tooth or teeth of the other arch, caused by deviation of tooth position or “abnormal jaw position.”
The misalignment can be between the front teeth or back teeth or both, and the effects on your health can be serious.
In a normal bite, the upper teeth sit a little outside the lower teeth at the front and back and on both sides of the mouth. So when the two rows of teeth don’t meet correctly, it’s considered a malocclusion, referred to as a bad bite and should be corrected.
There are two types of crossbites; anterior and posterior crossbites.
When your bite is incorrect you’re more likely to suffer dental problems and other health and emotional issues. The effects of a misaligned bite could include tooth decay, gum disease and stress on the jaw muscles, which may lead to headaches and chronic jaw, neck, shoulder and back pain.
Several treatments exist for the correction of your bite, popular methods are:
- A Palatal or maxillary expander that gradually widens the upper palate.
- Surgical intervention where the jaw bone is broken strategically, and then customised devices are used post-surgery to assist in widening the upper palate
- Braces
The best time to correct a crossbite is as a child or teenager.
Earlier the crossbite is detected, the treatment chance of success will be better.
If you or someone in your family is living with a crossbite, the best course of action is to schedule a visit with your orthodontist for a full examination. Your orthodontist will be able to identify if a crossbite is present and recommend the treatment appropriate.