Crossbite correction
Crossbite correction in Smyrna & Brentwood
A crossbite is an orthodontic issue where the top and bottom teeth do not come together in the correct position. This misalignment can affect teeth in the front or back of the mouth. Children, teens and adults can experience a crossbite and may receive treatment from their orthodontist.
What causes a crossbite?
There are many different reasons why a crossbite may occur. In some cases, a crossbite is an inherited trait from parents or relatives. Factors such as excessive thumb-sucking or pacifier use may also cause this issue. Another source of crossbite is when your baby teeth do not fall out during childhood, causing a delay in the growth of your adult teeth. In this instance, your jawline and other teeth may have developed a crossbite to compensate for the delay.
Crossbite symptoms
Crossbite is typically divided into two categories, anterior and posterior, depending on where it occurs in the mouth. When you have an anterior crossbite, some or all of your upper teeth will rest behind your lower teeth. For a posterior crossbite, you may notice your top back teeth resting inside your bottom back teeth.
Why fix a crossbite?
Crossbite correction is beneficial for more than just aesthetic reasons. If your child or teen has a crossbite, they should receive treatment as soon as possible to prevent difficulties with jaw development and further oral problems. Treating crossbites as early as possible will prevent issues such as:
- Chips or cracks in your teeth.
- Receding gums.
- Pain when chewing or biting.
- Headaches or jaw pain.
- Difficulty closing your mouth fully.
If left untreated, a crossbite can cause severe issues such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), which generates pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles that control jaw movement.
Treatment options for crossbite
If your child has a crossbite, their treatment will differ from an adult. One standard treatment for crossbite in children is a palate expander, which will stretch the upper jaw to make room for crowded teeth. After a child finishes puberty, their jaw is no longer in a growing state, changing their treatment options. Adult crossbite treatment options include:
- Invisalign®: These clear aligners are aesthetically pleasing and cover the biting surface of the upper and lower teeth, allowing the affected teeth to move to the correct positions.
- Braces: Braces are an ideal option, as this equipment will help move the misaligned teeth while keeping the jaw in the proper place.
- Reverse-pull headgear: With the help of rubber bands connected to the anchorage device on the braces, reverse-pull headgear shifts the upper jaw forward to align the teeth gradually.
Why choose Barbieri Orthodontics to correct your crossbite?
Attempting to fix a crossbite at home is dangerous and may cause your orthodontic issues to worsen. At Barbieri Orthodontics, Dr. Roedig is a Diamond+ level Invisalign® provider with extensive expertise.
For quality, affordable care, trust the experts at Barbieri Orthodontics at either of our Middle Tennessee offices in Brentwood or Smyrna.
