When your upper and lower teeth don’t come together correctly, it’s known as malocclusion, or a bad bite.
I’ve covered what an ideal bite looks like before, but to recap: the teeth in both arches meet comfortably, with the top teeth biting a tiny bit outside of the bottom teeth. The upper front teeth cover about ⅓ to ½ of the lower front teeth when the jaws are closed.
Sometimes, this doesn’t happen and, instead, some of the top teeth bite inside of the bottom teeth. This is called a crossbite, which is exactly what I’m covering in this post.
Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child’s smile or an adult seeking crossbite correction, this guide will help you understand the basics and what to expect from treatment.
What is a Crossbite?
As I noted above, a crossbite is a type of bad bite where the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. The teeth in the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the mouth can be affected. The condition can involve a single tooth or multiple teeth.
An underbite is a kind of crossbite that can involve the position of teeth or the jaws. During our examination, we use x-rays (these are different from the ones your dentist takes) to help figure out why your bite is the way it is.
Types of Crossbites
There are several different types of crossbites:
- Anterior Crossbite (Front Crossbite): Occurs when one or more of the upper front teeth sit behind the lower front teeth.
- Posterior Crossbite (Front Crossbite): Involves the back teeth and occurs when the upper molars bite inside the lower molars. This can affect one or both sides of the mouth.
- Buccal Crossbite (Brodie Bite): A less common type where one or more of the upper back teeth bite completely outside of the lower teeth.
What Causes Crossbites?
Crossbites can result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including:
- Genetics (the size of your jaw is influenced by the traits you inherit from your parents)
- Delayed or abnormal loss of baby teeth, followed by eruption of the adult teeth into an improper position
- Improper eruption of permanent teeth
- Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use
- Mouth breathing or atypical swallowing patterns, such as tongue thrust
- Injury to the teeth
For certain types of crossbites, early diagnosis is key. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.
Why Does a Crossbite Need to Be Fixed?
If left untreated, crossbites can lead to a variety of oral health issues, such as:
- Facial asymmetry
- Premature enamel wear
- Tooth damage or fractures
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Gum recession
- Jaw or TMJ pain
To compensate for a crossbite, particularly a posterior one, patients often shift their jaw to one side, which can create permanent changes in the bones, teeth positions, and facial structure.
Crossbite Correction Options
At Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics in El Dorado Hills, I create personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Treatment options may include:
Phase 1 Orthodontics With a Palatal Expander
When a crossbite is caused by a too-small upper jaw, I might recommend early intervention while a child is still growing and has a mix of primary and permanent teeth. At this stage, the upper jaw isn’t fused into one solid bone yet. Instead, it’s made up of two halves connected by fibrous tissue called the midline suture. This makes it possible to guide jaw development using an orthodontic appliance called a palate expander.
Here’s how palatal expansion for crossbite correction works:
- A custom expander is placed in the roof of the mouth and anchored to the upper molars with metal bands.
- A small key is used to activate the device daily or every other day, which puts pressure on the midline suture and causes the halves of the jawbone to drift apart.
- Once the desired expansion is achieved, the appliance stays in place for a few months to allow new bone to form and stabilize the changes.
- The expander is removed (typically within 9-12 months).
- When your child’s permanent teeth have erupted (usually by age 13 or so), we begin the second phase of treatment with braces, or clear aligners to align the teeth and perfect the bite.
Braces
If you have a crossbite, braces can be a great option. Traditional metal braces and clear braces use a system of brackets and wires to exert gentle force that gradually repositions the teeth.
The braces straighten the teeth in each arch independently. Often, when fixing a crossbite with braces, elastics (aka braces rubber bands) are used in tandem to deliver the necessary connective force to correct bite discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws.
Spark™ Aligners or Invisalign®
Lastly, you have Spark Aligner or Invisalign crossbite correction for patients who want a discreet, removable solution. I create a personalized treatment plan using a digital 3D model of your mouth, and a series of custom aligners is printed based on my plan.
When using clear aligners like Spark or Invisalign for crossbite treatment, I often pair the aligners with auxiliaries, such as tooth-colored attachments and rubber bands, to correct the bite.
You’ll wear the aligners for about 22 hours per day, changing to a new set every one or two weeks. This gradually shifts your teeth into place and fixes the bite.
Adult Crossbite Correction
It’s never too late to correct your bite! When combined with our advanced digital treatment planning, braces and Spark Aligners are efficient and effective solutions.
Occasionally, however, surgical orthodontics is needed to treat severe crossbites in adults. This involves a combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery). I work closely with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon to coordinate our approach and get the best possible results.
Crossbite Smile Transformations
Crossbite treatment doesn’t just improve your oral health and function; it can also boost your confidence and self-esteem. Check out our smile gallery to see some crossbite before and after photos, or feel free to ask about them at your consultation. My team and I love showing off our smile transformations!
Personalized Crossbite Correction in El Dorado Hills, CA
Whether you’re seeing signs of a bite problem in your child or you’re interested in adult crossbite correction, we can help. At Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics, my team and I combine leading-edge technology with personalized care and a fun, engaging experience.
Let’s achieve the healthy, beautiful smile and stable bite you deserve. Book a complimentary consultation at our office in El Dorado Hills today!
