Crossbite correction
A crossbite refers to malocclusion or misalignment when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth. The professionals at Owens Orthodontics deliver an outstanding patient experience and effective results using customized plans for you or a family member. Experience more comfort and a happier smile with crossbite correction at our office in Maryville, Tennessee.
What causes a crossbite?
With every case appearing unique, a misalignment may affect a single tooth or group of teeth. A posterior crossbite refers to the upper teeth in the back of your mouth sitting inside the bottom teeth. Similar to an underbite, an anterior crossbite refers to the top teeth in the front of your mouth sitting behind the bottom teeth. Some reasons for these misalignments include:
- Genetics
- Thumb sucking
- Delayed loss of baby teeth
- Abnormal eruption of adult teeth
- Swallowing in an abnormal way
- Distortion or placement changes from an accident
Why correct a crossbite?
Beyond a more symmetric smile, an ideal alignment for your teeth offers many health benefits. Fixing crossbite malocclusion protects your enamel from grinding and prevents gum and tooth decay for the long-term health of your mouth. Feel at ease with more comfort provided by the long-lasting, effective results of crossbite correction.
As one of the most common dental conditions for adults and children, crossbite teeth may be closer to the tongue or cheek than they would be in their correct position.
Whether the misalignment occurs in the upper or lower teeth, it can create discomfort such as the ones shown here:
Crossbite symptoms
Jaw pain
Headaches
An ache in at least one tooth
Biting the tongue and inner cheek when speaking or eating
Difficulty with speech
Palatal or maxillary expander
A fixed or removable appliance creates a broader space in the narrow upper jaw.
Dental braces
Braces or Invisalign® clear aligners align the bite in the correct position by straightening the upper and lower teeth.
Headgear
An attachment on the head and face applies gentle pressure to the teeth with wires to increase or slow the jaw’s growth.
Tooth removal
The removal of a tooth creates more room to move the lower teeth back before treatment with braces.
Surgery
Adult jaws may require surgical orthodontic adjustments for correction if other options cannot straighten the alignment.
