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What is a Crossbite and How can an Orthodontist Help?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

BHO-couple2
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • October 11, 2022

One of the most common orthodontic issues we see in young people and adults is a crossbite. Your dentist may have shown you how your bite didn’t quite line up correctly, or you may have noticed it yourself when poring over selfies. So what is a crossbite exactly? Is it just an aesthetic issue, or is there more to it? How do you fix it? We’ll help you find the answers.

What Is a Crossbite?

A crossbite occurs when the top and bottom teeth don’t align the way they’re supposed to when biting down. Rather than all of your bottom teeth fitting behind your upper teeth, one or more of your upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth.

crossbite

There are two types of crossbites:  

Anterior Crossbite

An anterior crossbite or underbite happens when some or all of your top front teeth sit behind your bottom teeth. 

Posterior Crossbite

A posterior crossbite occurs when your upper back molars are inside of the lower back molars when you bite down.

What Causes a Crossbite? 

Crossbites happen for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Sucking the thumb, finger, or a pacifier as a child
  • Tongue-thrusting
  • Breathing through the mouth
  • Losing baby teeth late
  • Having extra adult teeth
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Genetics
  • Asymmetric skeletal (or jaw) growth

Should Crossbites Be Corrected?

The majority of crossbites require attention because they can cause a range of physical effects, including:

  • Broken and/or worn down teeth
  • Headaches and jaw pain
  • Toothaches and pain with biting and chewing
  • Lisps and slurring
  • Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
  • Excess plaque
  • Cavities and tooth loss
  • Gum disease
  • Poor sleep

Additionally, crossbites in growing children can lead to asymmetrical growth where form follows function. For example, an unaddressed posterior crossbite in a child will often cause the entire lower jaw to shift to one side. As a result, the chin and lower face will shift and grow away from the facial midline.

Correcting your crossbite can help you address or prevent these issues and empower you to protect your oral health.

But misaligned teeth aren’t just about physical health; they can also have a powerful impact on your emotional well-being, your sense of self, and even your relationships. In fact, research shows that people who seek orthodontic treatment to correct alignment problems experience “significant improvement in self-esteem and social interaction.” Even if you don’t experience physical symptoms, correcting your crossbite could boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

Ideally, a crossbite is addressed in childhood, but it’s never too late to straighten your smile.

Exploring Treatment Options for Your Crossbite

There is no single treatment for crossbites. Your orthodontist will determine which strategy is best for you based on your specific bite and your personal preferences.;

Conventional Braces

Metal and ceramic braces are commonly used to treat crossbites with excellent results. Depending on the extent of the crossbite and teeth involved, retainer-type appliances called bite plates may be used in addition to braces.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are one of the most comfortable, effective, and discreet ways to correct crossbites. With Invisalign, a series of customized aligners are created based on 3D modeling of your mouth. These aligners gradually shift your teeth into a proper position, and you typically move on to a new set of aligners every two weeks or so. While you should wear your aligners as much as possible, you can remove them to eat, drink, and clean your teeth, which means they’re much more practical than conventional braces. They’re also barely noticeable—chances are that most people won’t know you’re wearing them.

Expanders

Expanders are orthodontic appliances that widen the upper teeth and jaw to encourage correct alignment. Expanders are most effective in children whose teeth and palates are still developing, but they may be used for adults in some cases.

Oral Surgery

Surgery may be necessary for severe crossbites. After surgery, you’ll typically continue treatment with an orthodontist with braces or Invisalign until the crossbite is fully corrected. This is especially useful to improve facial symmetry, balance, and harmony.

Retainers

After treatment has corrected your initial bite problem, removable or permanent retainers will help keep the teeth in the proper place.

Ready to Change Your Smile?

Getting a smile you love is a wise investment.

Whether you want to improve your appearance or find freedom from the painful effects of your crossbite—or both—Beverly Hills Orthodontics is with you every step of the way. Our expert team can help you understand your options and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the best results. With our experience and expertise, we can unlock the power of your smile.

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

Let Dr. Madan and her team help you help keep your smile looking (and feeling) better than ever.
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patient reviews

Enjoy our 5-star experience.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Lola
I love it here! I looked a long time for an orthodontist who would take my case. I had a open bite and multiple gaps. BHO was able to correct my situation and are so nice every time I come in the office. Do yourself a favor and choose BHO!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Lola! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to help with your open bite and gaps. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your recommendation!
Mariah M.
I love the service here! I've had quick and easy appointments since I started coming. The staff is friendly and communicates well. Lilly, Gabriel and Doctor Madan have taken care of me and they are always personable. I definitely recommend!

Angela and Nicole are amazing at the front desk, welcoming every guest with a smile and great customer service!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Your vote of confidence in our practice is why we do what we do!
Peter W.
Have invisilign through them and they've been incredibly helpful through the entire process! Would recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Peter! We're thrilled to hear that you found our team helpful during your Invisalign journey. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kevin C.
Good pricing and extremely experienced doctor that is an Invisalign top 1% diamond provider, took care of my bite case extremely well. Flexible appointment scheduling and always seated on time with no waiting. Would recommend to friends and family!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Kevin! We're delighted to hear that you appreciated our fair prices and attentive service. Providing a convenient and timely experience for our patients is a priority for us. We look forward to seeing you again!
Paige S.
The best. Dr Madden is running a first-class office filled with talented attentive staff. This was my second time doing Invisalign. The process was seamless and easy and my teeth look exactly the way I wanted them to look bc of thorough initial consult where the doctor actually asked me my preferences. When does that ever happen? Cldnt be happier.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Paige! We're thrilled to hear that you had a seamless experience with Dr. Madden and our team. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your trust in us!
Chelsea C.
Went in for a free consultation. I saw Dr. Serena and Angela who helped answer all my questions. The staff that took my scans were also very nice and friendly!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Chelsea! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Serena and Angela addressed all your questions and that our staff made your visit enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you again!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
Bardia A.
Monica and her team are so nice and professional. The experience has always been welcoming and the office was always clean and I felt totally comfortable coming in during the pandemic. They took every precaution and were so great to work with.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Justin H.
We have loved working with the team at Beverly Hills Orthodontics. We had 2 kids go through the Invisalign plan and they were always so nice and helpful in explaining everything. What a difference the program made!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
Jade L.
Lose this dentist, the doctors are really nice and always answer my questions regarding my teeth.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!
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