Crossbite: Causes and treatment

Your front teeth ( this is called an anterior crossbite)

Your back teeth (this is called a posterior crossbite)

One or both sides of your mouth.

Anterior crossbite: Anterior crossbites occur when your front teeth are afflicted with misalignment. When you have an anterior crossbite, your upper incisors will sit behind your lower ones. This is not to be confused with an underbite because it's usually a dental issue, not a skeletal one.

Posterior crossbite: A posterior crossbite means your back teeth are being affected. Your upper molars will bite inside of the lower ones, which leads to your jaw shifting while you chew. This can wind up causing headaches and discomfort in your jaw joint.

Unilateral crossbite: A unilateral crossbite means that only one side of your mouth is being affected, leading to an uneven bite. This usually leads to asymmetry in your jaw and face.

Bilateral crossbite: A crossbite is classified as bilateral when both sides of your upper teeth sit inside the lower ones. This usually happens when your upper jaw is too narrow. Treatment would usually start with jaw expansion before the use of aligners or braces.

Habitual behaviours: Bad habits that are usually developed in early childhood can have a long-lasting impact on your dental alignment. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or excessive use of a pacifier past the age of three can push your still-developing teeth into incorrect positions. This leads to your jaw narrowing and eventually causing crossbite malocclusion.

Delayed or abnormal tooth eruption: If your baby teeth fall out earlier or later than they should, your permanent teeth might come out incorrectly aligned. This abnormal eruption pattern is a very common cause of crossbites in children.

Jaw and dental discrepancies: On occasion, a narrow upper jaw or an improperly aligned lower one can restrict normal contact between your upper and lower teeth. This misalignment typically leads to a posterior or bilateral crossbite.

Genetics: For many people, a crossbite is something inherited. Having parents or siblings with narrow jaws or abnormal bites can make you more susceptible to having the same orthodontic complications. Getting your mouth evaluated early on can address these complications before they become serious.

Experiencing discomfort or pain when chewing and biting.

A painful and stiff jaw.

Abnormal clicking and popping sounds from your jaw joint.

Noticeable increases in tooth sensitivity or uneven wearing of your enamel.

Constant headaches and neck strain.

Speech impediments, including lisping.

An asymmetrical face and abnormal facial muscle toning.

Your teeth decaying, and your gums receding because of uneven bite pressure.

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorders.

Chronic, severe jaw and neck pain.

Your teeth shifting out of place, and the misalignment worsening.

Your face becoming entirely imbalanced, and your jawline aging prematurely.

Orthodontic appliances: Mild to moderate crossbites can be effectively treated with braces or clear aligners. Braces will make use of constant pressure to slowly move your teeth back into place. Clear aligners make use of multiple transparent trays that use precisely applied pressure to correct the position of your teeth while remaining discreet.

Palatal expanders: For young children and early teenagers, palate expanders are a decent choice. They will gently widen your upper jaw before the bones fully develop, preventing a more severe crossbite later on in life.

Dental headgear: Growing patients may require dental headgear to properly guide their jaw growth and fix any skeletal discrepancies that are causing a crossbite.

Surgical correction: For adults who are afflicted with an extreme crossbite, surgery may be their best bet. Proper orthognathic surgery can properly align your jaw before any orthodontic treatment begins.

A precise 3D scan of your teeth or a dental impression using an impression kit is taken.

A specialized orthodontist will then proceed to map out a highly accurate digital treatment plan that will show you how your bite will shift over time.

You will then receive a set of custom-made aligner trays that are designed to apply just the right amount of pressure for your orthodontic needs.

You'll switch to the next set of aligners every one or two weeks (depending on what's been prescribed), which will slowly but surely push your teeth back into proper alignment.

Significantly improve facial symmetry

Boost your speech clarity

Minimise gum damage and tooth wear

Decrease the stress and pressure on your jaw joints.

For children, you should discourage thumb sucking and pacifier usage after they have reached the age of 3 to minimise the chances of a crossbite forming later in life.

You should immediately treat any mouth breathing or sinus-related issues that affect your jaw growth.

You should regularly schedule visits with your dentist to keep an eye on your tooth eruption patterns.

You should schedule a proper orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7 to catch bite issues early on.