The alignment of your teeth can drastically impact your health and overall comfort. If you or your child are consistently experiencing jaw pain, frequent headaches, or biting your inner cheek while chewing or speaking, a crossbite may be to blame. But what steps do you need to take to correct it? Today, we’re answering the question — what is a crossbite? [sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”p” question-0=”What is a crossbite?” answer-0=”A misalignment of the teeth in which the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth.” image-0=”” headline-1=”p” question-1=”How do you fix a crossbite?” answer-1=”Depending on the type and severity of the crossbite, treatment could include a palatal expander alongside traditional braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign. The average length of treatment ranges from 18-24 months, with some patients requiring more or less time to properly fix their crossbite.” image-1=”” count=”2″ html=”false” css_class=””]— and explaining how we fix it. Read on to learn more!

What is a Crossbite?

A crossbite refers to a misalignment of the teeth that can affect a single tooth or group of teeth. Unlike an underbite, which causes the lower teeth to extend outward further than the upper teeth, a crossbite refers to upper teeth that fit inside of the lower teeth. Several factors can cause this, including genetics, prolonged thumb sucking, delayed loss of baby teeth, and the abnormal eruption of permanent teeth.

Posterior crossbites occur in the back of the mouth while anterior crossbites take place in the front of the mouth. Fortunately, both types can be treated, and the type of crossbite you have will help determine the scope and length of orthodontic care needed to treat it.

In addition to pushing teeth out of place, a crossbite can distort the growth of the jaw bone and require orthodontic care to fix. Failing to correct a crossbite can result in damaged enamel, receding gum lines, lopsided jaw growth, and jaw pain. The sooner we can diagnose and treat a crossbite the better!