Crossbite treatment is a standard procedure in orthodontic practice. Its treatment method depends on the severity of your dental condition, ranging from simple orthodontic treatment to operative manual and instrumental techniques. You can visit your Coorparoo dentist in Complete Dental to know more about the different treatments for crossbite.
What is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is a misalignment, or a malocclusion of teeth, where lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. This misalignment can influence a single tooth or sets of teeth, including the front teeth, back teeth, or both.
There are two categories of crossbite, namely:
Posterior crossbite: In this crossbite, the upper back teeth sit within the lower back teeth.
Anterior crossbite: One or more upper front teeth sit behind the lower front teeth. Sometimes, the lower front teeth completely cover the upper front teeth.
The proper occlusion is when the upper teeth are naturally more extensive since they lay outwardly from the bottom teeth.
Why Do You Need a Crossbite Treatment?
There many reasons why a crossbite needs orthodontic treatment. These include:
- Crossbites of anterior teeth can result in tooth chipping or gum problems if neglected.
- Early treatment avoids future issues.
- Crossbites can be connected to a narrow upper jaw and palate, resulting in bite and breathing complications.
- Crossbites can cause jaw development issues in growing children and teens.
What Causes a Crossbite?
Genetic and developmental causes are the two leading causes of crossbites.
Similar to other bodily features, jaw structure and teeth alignment are inherited attributes. Crossbites are genetic, so if a parent, grandparent, or other family members has a crossbite, there is a great possibility a child will acquire a comparable condition. It is impossible to keep kids from inheriting crossbites. However, they can be successfully treated with different treatment options from a licensed orthodontist.
Other factors during dental development can result in a crossbite, including:
- Thumb-sucking
- Tongue-thrusting
- Prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle
- Mouth breathing
- Losing the baby teeth too early
- Developing adult teeth
All of these can add to the advancement of a crossbite. That is why dental professionals suggest children visit an orthodontist starting at age 7. In that case, the orthodontist can monitor the development of their grown-up teeth and detect any possible problem that may emerge with their teeth and bite.
Crossbite Treatment: Six Best Options
Other dental conditions and jaw problems may develop in adulthood if you do not address a crossbite early childhood. In any case, crossbite treatment is still possible for grown-ups, yet you can have limited choices since you have fully developed teeth and jaw.
Here are the best treatment options for a crossbite.
Braces
Ceramic and traditional metal braces are both effective in dealing with crossbites or underbites. Applying brackets on every tooth, your orthodontist will cautiously and competently shift every tooth into its right arrangement, moving the misaligned or crooked teeth until the bite is appropriate.
Braces are simple, comfortable, effective, and an incredible treatment choice for children, teens, and grown-ups of any age. They offer fast treatment times with excellent, predictable outcomes, and their widespread application made them one of the most reasonable orthodontic treatment options.
Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE)
Rapid palatal expander (RPE) is primarily applicable for more extreme crossbites. Your dentist may suggest a dental expansion technique in blend with braces or clear aligners. It can widen narrow dental curves and improve posterior crossbites.
The device fits some back teeth in the top jaw, and a screw interfaces the tool in the center. To activate this dental appliance, you turn the screw a small quantity consistently.
Reverse-Pull Headgear
Reverse pull headgear, also known as a face mask, comprises pads that append to the temple and jaw with a facemask frame in the middle. Patients attach elastic bands from the anchorage appliance on the braces to the edge. This kind of treatment options moves the upper jaw forward to adjust the teeth in the top and bottom jaws over time.
Clear Aligner
Clear aligners are popular orthodontic treatment options for crossbites. Invisalign is the best and notable brand of clear aligners. This device protects the whole biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth, which permits a tooth in a crossbite to move freely without being influenced by the neighboring teeth.
Veneers
According to this Dubbo dentist at Advanced Dental Care, tooth veneers are also capable of fixing mild crossbite conditions. However, they are only applicable to adults. If you have a steady bite and are hoping to modify the shape and shade of your teeth, veneers might be a good choice. In any case, dental veneers are more costly and invasive compared to traditional orthodontic treatment.
Jaw Surgical Procedure
Your dentist may recommend jaw surgery to treat crossbites, underbites, overbites, and advanced sleep apnea in the most severe cases. In this procedure, an oral surgeon deliberately moves the upper and lower jaws forward. Since this procedure is a surgical technique, the cost can range from $20,000 and $50,000. Talk with your dentist or orthodontist to decide the ideal treatment for you.
