Transforming Smiles: Comprehensive Guide to Crossbites, Causes, and Treatments

Many people in Everett experience crossbites without even realizing it. Crossbites are a common dental issue that can affect your bite and overall oral health. Understanding what a crossbite is, its causes, and treatment strategies is essential for maintaining a healthy smile. Keep reading to explore the causes behind crossbites and effective treatment options in Everett.

What is Crossbite?

• A crossbite occurs when teeth are misaligned when the mouth is closed. This misalignment can involve one tooth or multiple teeth and affect areas such as the front or back of the mouth. Ideally, your upper teeth should be wider and rest outside your lower teeth, with each upper tooth properly contacting its corresponding lower tooth.

This alignment ensures that the forces from chewing or clenching are evenly distributed across your mouth. However, with a crossbite, these actions can lead to uneven wear and potential damage to your teeth.

Types of Crossbites

There are two main types of crossbites:

Posterior Crossbite

• This type occurs when your upper back teeth sit inside your lower teeth. The upper teeth may appear tilted inward toward your tongue rather than aligned properly with the lower teeth.

Anterior Crossbite

• This type arises when one or more of your upper front teeth are positioned behind your lower front teeth. It’s important to note that this differs from an underbite, where all of your upper teeth sit behind your lower teeth.

Causes of a Crossbite

• Crossbites typically result from dental or skeletal issues, often a combination of factors. Delays in tooth growth, bone structure irregularities, upper airway issues, or genetic predispositions can influence these problems.

Common causes of crossbites include:

• Extended use of a pacifier or thumb and finger sucking.
• Pushing the tongue against the teeth during swallowing.
• Gaps from missing teeth.
• Delayed loss of baby teeth.
• Early loss of baby teeth.
• Cleft palate or lip.

How Is a Crossbite Treated?

• Crossbites do not resolve on their own, making early intervention crucial to prevent further jaw and dental complications. The ideal time to address a crossbite is during childhood, while the jaw and face are still developing. However, adults can also undergo treatment to correct a crossbite.

If you notice that your child has a crossbite, an orthodontist typically recommends waiting until your child is around 7 or 8 years old to initiate treatment. The specific treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause and severity of the crossbite.

Treatment options for crossbites may include:

Palatal Expander

• This device is attached to the upper teeth and presses against the roof of the mouth. Your orthodontist will periodically adjust the palatal expander to gradually widen the palate and jaw, creating more space for proper alignment.

Braces

• These devices apply pressure to the teeth and jaw to shift the teeth into their correct positions. In some cases, a palatal expander and braces may be used concurrently for optimal results.

Early treatment can lead to better outcomes and a healthier smile for those affected by crossbites.

Effects of Crossbite

Crossbites can disrupt your smile and lead to several other issues, including:

• Headaches in both adults and children due to misalignment, which strains jaw muscles and joints.
• Challenges in cleaning effectively, making it easy for bacteria to accumulate.

A crossbite can make biting into hard foods painful, affecting your ability to enjoy certain fruits and snacks. All the bite issues and misalignments are entirely treatable. Our team of orthodontists at Icon Dental Center has extensive experience in addressing these concerns in patients of all ages, from children to adults. Whether you require braces or Invisalign clear aligners, we tailor our treatments to your specific needs. For consultations or bookings, call us at (206) 225-2882 for Seattle and (425) 337-2400 for Everett appointments