What is a Crossbite

 

A crossbite is a dental misalignment that is characterised by the upper and lower teeth not coming together properly when you close your mouth. People who have this condition have some of the upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Some teeth may be positioned outside the lower teeth as well.

Though crossbite happens by genetics, it can also occur due to activities like thumb-sucking, excess use of pacifiers and any other activity that puts pressure on teeth. Sometimes, injuries to the face also cause the misalignment.

Types:

• Anterior Crossbite
  It is the common type of crossbite that happens when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. It is caused by genetics, thumb sucking and other activities that put pressure on teeth.
  
  
• Posterior Crossbite
  When the lower bite bites inside the upper teeth, it causes posterior crossbite. It can also occur due to genetics and other things that put pressure on your teeth.

Main cause:

• Thumbsucking
• Missing teeth
• Tongue thrust
• Small jaw
• Teeth too big
• Cleft palate and lip
• Mouth breathing
• Early baby teeth loss or baby teeth that don’t fall out

Health Risks:

While crossbite looks like a harmless condition, it can lead to various health risks like:

• Jaw Pain
  You can experience pain in your jaw muscles and joints as teeth are misaligned and unnecessarily put pressure on your jaw. It further leads to tension headaches, TMJ disorders and other types of pain.
  
  Crossbite also causes gum pain, and cleaning your teeth can be a challenging task. The food gets trapped and it may lead to inflammation and infection which can be painful.
  
  
• Tooth Decay
  Due to the misalignment of teeth, food gets trapped in between the teeth. If you are not cleaning properly, it can lead to the growth of bacteria and other germs leading to cavities and gum diseases. Also, misaligned teeth cause pressure on the gums making them more susceptible to infection.
  
  
• Sleep Apnea
  People with crossbite condition have a tongue that has to sit further back in the mouth due to not having enough place for it to remain properly. When you are sleeping, the position of the tongue blocks the airway making it difficult for you to breathe. Also, crossbite causes the soft palate in your mouth to collapse which also leads to airway blockage. It’s also observed that people having crossbite grind their teeth. All these factors contribute to sleep apnea.
  
  
• Frequent Headaches
  The most common complaint among people having crossbite is headaches. As the misaligned teeth put pressure on your jaw, the pain developed in your mouth area radiates to the head, thus causing a headache. Also, crossbite people tend to grind their teeth and the pressure leads to headaches.

Treatments:

As there are significant health risks with crossbite, you have to get it treated by visiting a proper dentist. You can treat the crossbite by:

• Braces
  To correct the misalignment of teeth, the most common treatment is by braces. The metal brackets attached to the teeth will move and tighten the teeth in an orderly position. It will make the teeth to be in their proper place. Though it’s time-consuming, you can have your natural teeth in a proper placement. You can also consider clear or ceramic dental braces instead of traditional metal braces.
  
  
• Invisalign
  It’s an effective method that corrects crossbite and improves the overall teeth alignment. Clear and removable aligners are placed inside your mouth to move the teeth into a desired position. It’s mainly recommended for children and is a good alternative to traditional braces.
  
  
• Palate Expander
  It is a simple device used to widen the upper jaw. It’s often necessary to correct the crossbite condition. The expander will gradually expand over time to correct the misaligned condition. Instead of moving teeth, it expands the jaw so that the teeth align correctly. This method is also usually for children as their bones are still growing and can response better to expansion.

Final Thoughts

Crossbite is a condition that’s treatable so that you can have health and aligned teeth. You can eat better, sleep better and talk better when you are teeth are properly placed. Consider consulting a dental expert to talk about your condition and to get it treated.