Dr. Sri Akshitha (BDS)
Published on - 20 Nov 2023
A crossbite is a misalignment of a tooth or teeth in which one or more teeth are positioned abnormally, closer to the cheek or tongue than their optimal location. Crossbite can make it difficult to eat and talk because the jaws do not close properly. It may even have psychological consequences and lead you to lose confidence.
It is important to get treatment for this problem since failure to do so might result in abnormal jaw growth, eventually leading in one side of the jaw growing larger. This abnormal growth has an impact on your overall face structure.
Crossbite might be the result of habits, tooth formation delays, bone defects, upper airway complications, or heredity. This if left untreated, not only have a cosmetic influence on your smile, but they can also lead to severe dental complications.
SIGNS OF CROSSBITE:
- Having a speech defect and not being able to talk correctly
- The two rows of teeth don’t touch each other
- Frequently biting the inner cheek and tongue while speaking or eating
- Pain in the jaw
- Pain in one or several teeth
- Severe headaches
EFFECTS OF CROSS BITE:
Severe Headches : Crossbites are associated with headaches in both adults and children. Teeth are needed not just for eating but also to support your face muscles. When your jaws are misaligned, it puts tension on the jaw muscles and joints, which are related to nerves connect to the brain. This results in headaches. Furthermore, these nerves run down our neck and shoulders, causing serious pain and discomfort in those areas
Tooth Decay : Brushing misaligned teeth is challenging because of their form and location. Inability to brush and floss effectively can contribute to tooth decay because germs can easily enter a tooth.
Some other problems associated with crossbite are:
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
- The two rows of teeth don’t touch each other
- Mobile tooth
- Receding gums
- Tooth wear
- Asymmetrical facial features
Treatment options: Crossbites do not naturally straighten out, thus early treatment is critical to avoid jaw and dental disorders. A crossbite is best treated in childhood, as the jaw and face are still developing. A crossbite can also be repaired in an adult.
If you find your young child has a crossbite, your orthodontist will most likely wait until they are 7 or 8 years old before beginning treatment. The treatment strategy will be determined by the cause and severity of the crossbite.
Treatment options include Braces, palatal expanders, removable appliances, fixed palatal cribs, myofunctional therapy or clear aligners.
Conclusion: Crossbites should never be ignored and must be treated at the earliest possible to avoid further damage to the jaws and other teeth.