If you are like most people you may not have a full understanding of what a crossbite is until you or a family member is diagnosed with one. Good new! cross-bite correction and treatment options are available.
Basically, there are two types of cross-bites and both of them can lead to jaw pain, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction), and other issues such as receding gums and loose teeth. These side effects are not things that anyone wants to deal with, but the good news is that crossbites are treatable. There are cross-bite correction and treatment options available amd we’re here to help you understand a few of your options.
What Exactly is a Cross-bite?
The official clinical definition of a cross-bite is “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.”
In everyday language, a crossbite occurs when there is a misalignment of your upper teeth in relation to your lower teeth.
Cross-bites can be hereditary, but they can also be situational. Cross-bites that occur in children can stem from the permanent teeth growing in before all baby teeth have fallen out. If this occurs, the new teeth that come in can’t grow in place properly which results in misalignment issues.
Most of the time however, crossbites stem from genetics. If your parents had issues with their bites, chances are they could have passed this down to you.
Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options
Here is a quick list of treatment options that are available to correct crossbites. This list is by no means intended to be a recommendation of how to address your child’s cross-bite or your own. It is just a list of options that are generally available for the treatment of cross-bites. Each individual case is different and requires an examination in order to determine the best course of action.
– Maxillary Expander
– Removable expander
– Braces
– Surgery in extreme cases
The best place to start is by talking to your dentist about cross-bite correction and treatment options available to you or your child.