Importance of Crossbite Correction

A functional shift of the jaw due to a crossbite is a significant orthodontic problem and if it is left untreated in a growing patient it can lead to imbalances in jaw growth. A crossbite is a type of misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when you close your bite.

A crossbite can occur in both the front and the back teeth. Posterior crossbite involve the back teeth while anterior crossbite affects the front teeth.

Orthodontists with their specialised training and their expertise accurately diagnose the crossbite problems and help you get back on track with proper alignment of teeth and jaw.

Early treatment is highly recommended and the best time to correct a crossbite is when the children are between the age of 7 and 12 years.

What causes crossbite:

i)   Lingual eruption path of the maxillary anterior teeth.

ii)   Trauma to the primary incisor resulting in lingual displacement of the permanent tooth germ.

iii)  Over retained milk tooth.

iv)  Presence of extra anterior teeth.

Problems caused by the crossbite:

An uneven bite puts a lot of unnecessary stress in the mouth. While it may not seem like a big deal as you are used to dealing with it.The most common problems which occur if you do not get the treatment done for your crossbite are..

i)   Uneven wear and tear of the teeth.

ii)  Speech problems.

iii)  Difficulty in chewing.

iv)  Jaw joint pain.

v)  Headache

Long Term Issues with the Crossbite:

i)  Gingivitis

ii) Tooth decay.

iii) Loosening of the teeth.

Treatment of Crossbite:

i)  Braces gently reposition your teeth until the crossbite is either minimised or eliminated completely.

ii)  Braces have a greater power of action and liberates more continuous forces,and it allows 3-dimensional control of the tooth to be moved.

Orthodontists often treat crossbites which are one of the most common types of orthodontic issues. So regular checkup after the age of 7 years is the need to prevent the imbalances in jaw growth.

You can schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Seema Bansal for more informantion.