As troublesome as crossbite can be for your smile, dealing with it is relatively simple with the right treatment. While most people think of crooked and crowded teeth when they hear the word “orthodontics,” there is much more to it than those simple problems. Malocclusions, or misaligned bites, are an incredibly prevalent problem that often creates even bigger issues for your smile than crowding and crookedness. When the top teeth are too far forward or fall behind the bottom jaw, the mouth can’t bite down as it should. Chewing and speaking are especially tricky, if not painful. One popular type of malocclusion is crossbite. Crossbite occurs when a tooth or certain sections of the upper jaw sit behind the lower ones below when closing your mouth. It’s often confused with underbite, which is similar except the entire upper jaw is misaligned, rather than specific areas. Even if it’s not as all-encompassing, crossbite isn’t something to be ignored or left untreated. The Problems With Crossbite Why is straightening your teeth important? A common misunderstanding is that orthodontic problems are only an aesthetic concern. Crooked teeth and bites play a significant role in your mouth’s overall health. By correcting your crossbite, you can better prevent these issues patients have with misaligned smiles: Gum Disease and Tooth Decay When your teeth hide behind each other, it becomes much more difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly. It’s often a struggle to stop plaque and bacteria from building up on your teeth and below the gums. Over time, this makes crossbite patients much more vulnerable to gum disease and cavities, putting their smile's health at risk. Jaw Issues Most orthodontic problems are treated as early as possible while the jaw is still developing and changing. When crossbite is left to its own devices, teens' and adults' jaws can shift or grow incorrectly or lopsided. It can also cause the joint connecting the skull and jaw to fall out of alignment or become damaged, leading to painful TMJ disorder. Eating and Speaking Problems When the upper and lower jaws can't meet properly, eating and speaking become a challenge. Crossbite can cause you to talk with a lisp or even with a whistling noise. It can also be painful to chew your meals, which takes much more effort. This often leads to jaw and muscle soreness and frequent headaches and earaches.

Crossbite Treatment Options Depending on your crossbite issues' severity and extent, you will need either orthodontics or a strictly-cosmetic procedure. More complex and severe cases will need to be seen by an orthodontist, usually for Invisalign or a palatal expander. With only minor problems, you will most likely be recommended porcelain veneers. Invisalign One of the most prominent crossbite procedures we perform at Long Beach Family Dentist is Invisalign treatment. Rather than relying on traditional metal brackets, Invisalign employs a series of clear aligner trays that are custom-made for your smile. By switching them every two weeks, your orthodontist can gradually move your teeth and bite into place with much less discomfort than expected with braces. Clear aligners give an almost entirely invisible orthodontic experience. As they use transparent trays rather than brackets and wires, they keep your treatment more successfully hidden than even clear braces can manage. They are also removable, allowing patients to remove them for meals and dental hygiene care. You don’t have to worry about changes in your diet or special brushing and flossing instructions. Palatal Expanders In many cases, clear aligners don't have enough room to work on your smile immediately without painful problems. Extra teeth and teeth hidden behind others make it hard to get enough of a grip to move them with your Invisalign. When this happens, the upper jaw needs to be widened with a palatal expander. Expanders are metal appliances that are held in place using metal wires that branch out from a central metal body and hook onto the backs of your upper teeth. By turning a key every few weeks, the wires extend from the central body and gradually push the palate outwards. Once the mouth is wide enough, we can begin phase 2 of your treatment: Invisalign. Dental Veneers For more minimal crossbite issues, you may be able to pass by visiting an orthodontist altogether. Dental veneers are a quick and simple cosmetic dentistry procedure that allows you to recreate a tooth's entire look. This treatment uses thin porcelain shells that are crafted into the perfect shape for your smile, taking into account the color, size, and angle. Along with crossbite, porcelain veneers can help with: Mildly crooked teeth Teeth stains and discoloration Gaps between teeth Lumpy or misshapen teeth Teeth that are too short or long Veneers are much faster than orthodontic methods, often requiring only two visits to be completed. During the first visit, your teeth will be prepared to fit your veneers. The enamel is slightly shaved to prevent awkward bulkiness and give the veneers a surface to securely bond. This shaving is minimal—around 0.5mm—and leaves the tooth's vulnerable dentin and pulp layers below unharmed. Impressions and scans are taken of your mouth to help us create the perfect porcelain veneers. You'll have temporary ones put on in the meantime. Your final veneers will be dental cemented in place during the second appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions Do Aligners Work As Good As Braces? When patients are told they need orthodontic treatment, it often comes down to the Invisalign vs braces question. While clear aligners have several advantages over traditional bracket braces, many people wonder if invisible braces are up to snuff and as effective. In all but the most extreme cases, your aligners can tackle the same problems that braces can with ease. Plus, they do it on a much faster timeline. Invisalign often finishes in 12 to 18 months, compared to braces 18 months to 3 years. More minor crossbite issues might only need as few as 6 months. What makes Invisalign so effective is that it tackles your teeth one section at a time, which traditional braces don’t. Brackets and wires place pressure on each of your teeth with each tightening appointment, moving your whole smile—roots, crowns, and all—simultaneously. This constant micromanaging allows orthodontists to take on even the worst orthodontic issues, but it also takes a lot more time. By working on one area of the mouth with each new tray, we can focus on our efforts and streamline the entire process. Since crossbite doesn’t encompass the whole mouth or jaw, just small sections, this specialized attention is even more helpful. In all, clear aligners are typically the most favorable treatment. Even your Invisalign cost is in the same range as metal and clear braces, so price is not often a factor in patients' decision-making process. The only times your dentist may recommend bracket braces instead is if: Orthodontic problems are too severe or complex Teeth are rotated more than 20 degrees Teeth need to be lowered or raised in the jaw The patient is a young child who might frequently lose their aligners Can Adults Have Palatal Expanders? Palate expanders are generally thought of as a childhood treatment, often between ages 7 and 10. The jaw is much more malleable when you're younger, and your mouth is still developing during this time. The palate can widen smoother and quicker than it would for teen or adult patients. There is also still plenty of time for clear aligners afterward during this prime period. However, this doesn’t mean that adult patients can’t get expander treatment done and will need a tooth extraction or two to make room instead. While your mouth won’t be as flexible to our needs, we’ll still be able to open it up. It will just take a bit more time to ensure we don’t apply too much force. Are Veneers Permanent? Porcelain veneers are incredibly long-lived, but they are not permanent. Most veneers last around 10 to 15 years before needing replacement, but they can last more than 20 with excellent care and dental hygiene habits. The changes to your teeth to prepare it for veneers are permanent. The thin layer of enamel that had to be filed down won’t grow back, and your smile will require a new veneer to restore your tooth. Certain non-preparation veneers are thinner than porcelain ones, allowing them to be placed without affecting your underlying teeth. However, there is a cost for this change. Since they are thinner and not made of durable porcelain, their lifespan isn't as long. In many cases, they need to be replaced within 5 to 7 years. If you need help deciding which option is right for your smile's needs, please don't hesitate to call our Long Beach dental office at (562) 999-3602. We can schedule an appointment to discuss your options and goals.