A crossbite is a type of dental malocclusion that affects the alignment of your teeth, where the upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth when your mouth is closed or at rest. This condition can lead to complications and painful symptoms, but it can be corrected with professional dental treatment. 

A Plymouth dentist and their team explain about crossbite, and effective treatment options, through this informative blog. So read on! 

A comprehensive guide to crossbite

A crossbite happens if your teeth do not line up properly when your mouth is closed. It may affect a single tooth or a group of teeth, like your front and back teeth. 

There are two types of crossbite, namely:

• Posterior crossbite 

• • • Here your upper back teeth sit inside your bottom teeth 

• Anterior crossbite 

• • Here one or some of your upper front teeth sit behind your lower front teeth. 

There are several causes of crossbite which include the following:

• Genetics 

• • Skeletal and dental issues may be genetic.
  • If someone in your family suffers from crossbite, it is likely that you or your child may develop the condition. 
  • A small jaw or too big teeth may also contribute to crossbite. 

• Other factors 

• • If the primary teeth do not exfoliate during the early childhood years or if the adult teeth are delayed in eruption you may develop a crossbite. 
  • Habits like mouth breathing and thumb sucking during childhood can also contribute to crossbite. 

The main symptom of a crossbite is teeth that don’t line up. Some of the other symptoms may include:

• Tooth decay and cavities 
• Enamel breakdown 
• Gum recession 
• Tooth wear
• Loose teeth
• Uneven jaw growth 
• Unbalanced facial features 
• TMJ disorders 
• Jaw pain
• Frequent headaches 

Crossbite treatment options include:

• Palatal expander

• • This appliance is attached to your upper teeth and sits on the roof of the mouth.
  • It is adjusted periodically to widen the palate and jaw slowly. 

• Braces 

• • These traditional metal braces exert pressure on the teeth to move them in the correct position. 

• Removable appliances 

• • These appliances come with a spring that puts pressure on your tooth and moves it forward while the appliance keeps your other teeth in place. 

• Clear aligners 

• • These are clear plastic trays that help move the teeth to the desired position gradually. 

A crossbite is a common alignment issue that can lead to complications if left untreated. If you suspect that you or your child has a crossbite, schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.