Crossbite correction

A crossbite is a common tooth misalignment in which some of the lower teeth rest outside the upper teeth. Two different types of crossbite may occur. The first is an anterior crossbite in which the front upper teeth may rest behind the lower front teeth. The second is a posterior crossbite in which the back teeth in the upper jaw rest behind the back teeth in the lower jaw.

Many cases of crossbite are genetic and inherited from parents or other relatives. Some people are naturally born with a small upper jaw, and their adult teeth overlap, leading to a crossbite.

External factors that may contribute to a crossbite include mouth breathing and excessive thumb-sucking habits in childhood. If there is a delay in losing your baby teeth, your jaw will move forward or to the side to compensate for these changes, which may cause a crossbite.

The main symptom of crossbite is the feeling of your upper teeth resting behind your lower teeth. Additional symptoms include pain in the jaw or at least one tooth and frequently biting your inner cheek and tongue while eating or speaking.

Many people view a crossbite as a minor issue and do not attempt to align their jaw correctly. However, crossbite correction will help prevent severe dental conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease. By treating your crossbite early, you may avoid health complications such as sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

While it may be appealing to attempt to correct your crossbite with a direct-to-consumer orthodontics service, it’s best to leave your crossbite treatment to the professionals at Nicolas Orthodontics. Some treatment options include:

• Invisalign®: Clear aligners will cover the surface of your tooth and allow the misaligned tooth to move freely without affecting the opposing teeth. Nicolas Orthodontics is a top Invisalign provider in the Boca Raton and Boynton Beach areas, and our team includes Elite Preferred Providers.
• Braces: Braces for crossbite are ideal if only a single tooth requires realignment. If more teeth need realignment, your orthodontist may use braces and headgear to realign the teeth. At Nicolas Orthodontics, we offer a wide range of braces options to fit your dental needs.
• Dental expander: If your child has a crossbite, they may receive a dental expander because their jaw will not finish developing until after puberty. This device will slowly expand their upper jaw to allow it to fit correctly with the lower one.

Our mission at Nicolas Orthodontics is to provide high-quality orthodontic services to all our patients. We tailor our personalized treatment plans to fit your needs and have an open line of communication throughout the entire process. From your initial visit to your last, our team will prioritize your comfort and strive to go above and beyond to help your smile shine.