What is a Crossbite? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
A crossbite occurs when some of your upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth. It might seem like a minor issue, but it can have a big impact on your oral health.
Beyond the aesthetics, leaving a crossbite unaddressed can lead to some tricky issues. In the long run, this can impact not just your smile but your overall quality of life, making everyday activities like eating and talking less comfortable than they should be.
In this blog, we’ll explore the symptoms and causes of a crossbite and discuss how to correct it for a functional and healthy smile.
What is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is a type of dental misalignment where the upper teeth don’t line up properly with the lower teeth when you bite down. Ideally, the upper teeth should sit slightly outside the lower teeth, but with a crossbite, some or all of them might sit inside instead. Crossbites can vary in severity and can affect either the front or the back teeth, leading to different classifications.
The two main types of crossbites are anterior and posterior, each affecting a different area of the mouth:
- Anterior Crossbite: This type of crossbite affects the front teeth, where one or more of the upper front teeth sit behind the lower front teeth. This can often lead to wear on the front teeth, affecting both their appearance and function.
- Posterior Crossbite: In a posterior crossbite, one or more of the upper teeth on the sides of the mouth bite inside the lower teeth. This can lead to jaw discomfort or even asymmetrical jaw development over time if not treated.
Symptoms of a Crossbite
Crossbites don’t just impact the appearance of a smile; they often come with a range of symptoms that can affect daily comfort and function. Here’s a closer look at some of the telltale signs of a crossbite and why they matter:
- Visible Misalignment: One of the most noticeable signs of a crossbite is a visibly uneven smile, where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside. This misalignment can make your smile appear off-balance and, over time, may even impact the natural shape of your face.
- Biting and Chewing Difficulties: Since the teeth aren’t meeting as they should, people with a crossbite might find it difficult to enjoy certain foods comfortably, often needing to adjust their bite or use one side of their mouth more than the other.
- Wear and Tear: When teeth don’t align properly, they tend to rub against each other unevenly. Over time, this can lead to premature wear, chipping, or even fractures. This extra wear also puts strain on the enamel, which can increase sensitivity and risk of cavities.
- Jaw Pain or Discomfort: A misaligned bite can place stress on the jaw joints, particularly the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This can lead to symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking sounds when opening or closing the mouth, and even headaches.
Causes of Crossbite
Understanding the causes of a crossbite can provide insight into why this condition occurs and how it might be prevented or addressed. Let’s look at some of the most common causes:
- Genetic Factors: Genetics play a significant role in dental development, and crossbites often run in families. Hereditary traits like tooth and jaw size or even specific bite patterns can all influence whether a crossbite might develop.
- Delayed or Abnormal Tooth Eruption: Sometimes, the timing or sequence in which teeth erupt can impact how they align. For example, if certain teeth erupt out of order or are delayed, they may not have the space or position needed to align properly.
- Poor Oral Habits: Childhood habits like thumb sucking, prolonged bottle feeding, or pacifier use beyond the toddler years can put pressure on the growing teeth and gums, often pushing teeth into positions that lead to misalignment, including crossbites.
- Jaw Development: When one jaw grows faster or slower than the other, it can lead to an imbalanced bite. This is particularly common in cases where the upper jaw is too narrow to fit comfortably around the lower jaw, causing the upper teeth to fall inside the lower teeth.
Addressing these factors early, when possible, can sometimes prevent a crossbite or reduce its severity, making treatment simpler and more effective later on.
Treatment Options for Crossbite
Crossbite treatment can significantly improve comfort, function, and appearance, and the sooner it’s addressed, the easier it is to achieve optimal results. These are some of the main treatment options available for correcting a crossbite:
- Early Intervention: Regular dental check-ups help catch misalignments before they worsen, so dentists and orthodontists often recommend evaluating a child’s bite early on to determine if intervention is needed.
- Orthodontic Appliances: Braces are one of the most common treatments for crossbites. They apply gentle pressure to move teeth into better alignment over time, gradually improving the bite and correcting misalignment. For patients with a narrow upper jaw, palatal expanders can help by gradually widening the upper palate. This device is often used in children, whose bones are still growing, allowing the upper jaw to expand and fit more comfortably around the lower jaw.
- Jaw Surgery: In severe cases, jaw surgery can reposition the jaw bones to correct significant misalignments and create a balanced, functional bite. Surgery is typically considered only after other treatments are ruled out or if the crossbite causes considerable discomfort or functional issues.
- Retainers: After treatment, retainers play a crucial role in maintaining results. Keeping the teeth aligned ensures that the benefits of treatment last long-term.
Recognizing and treating a crossbite is essential for preserving both the health and functionality of your smile. Left untreated, crossbites can lead to a range of issues, from discomfort and wear on the teeth to jaw pain and alignment complications. Fortunately, with timely diagnosis and the right treatment, crossbites can be effectively managed, helping you or your child enjoy a comfortable, confident smile.
If you think you or your child might have a crossbite, reach out to us at Thrive Dental Co for a FREE online consultation. Our team is here to guide you through every step, offering expert care to help you achieve lasting, healthy alignment.