Treatable cases

WHAT IS CROSSBITE?
Crossbite is the malocclusion which occurs when any upper teeth remain behind the lower teeth on closing your teeth. This condition resembles that of an underbite, however, both are different. Crossite affects only one tooth or a group of teeth, but underbite affects all the teeth of the lower jaw, and the entire lower jaw is placed in front of the upper jaw (appearing as a protruded or the prominent chin).

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WHAT CAUSES CROSSBITE?
Genetics plays a major role in any kind of malocclusion. You could have inherited this feature from one of your parents. But single tooth crossbite occurs mostly in the front tooth when the milk tooth(or baby tooth) gets retained longer than it’s supposed to. This causes the permanent tooth to erupt behind the milk tooth and hence form a crossbite as it gets positioned behind the lower teeth. Destructive habits like mouth breathing and thumb sucking late into childhood could also contribute to a crossbite.

 

TYPES OF CROSSBITE
There are two types of crossbite. They are:
● Anterior: It is observed in front upper teeth when the bottom front tooth or teeth overlap upper front tooth/teeth.
● Posterior: This is observed in back teeth fitting over the teeth in your top jaw

 

IS IT BAD TO HAVE CROSSBITE?
Cross-bite may lead to many problems other than just being unesthetic. It may cause pain and other complications like plaque accumulation and gum diseases. Crossbite may be the reason for tooth decay due to plaque deposits as those teeth are difficult to clean, sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, difficulty speaking or forming certain sounds, etc. Hence it must be corrected by seeking professional help. Though it is best to take your child to a dentist when you observe a crossbite in a child’s teeth it can be corrected at any age.

 

WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CORRECTING CROSSBITE?
Treatment for crossbite in childhood is best as their growth can be used to move the teeth in the right direction using oral appliances. Mild crossbites in adults can be treated by braces, retainers, removable palate expanders, and elastics that are prescribed by an orthodontist. K Clear aligners enable orthodontic teeth movement with the help of clear tray like appliances, that snugly fit your teeth and have orthodontic forces incorporated into them to correct your crossbite. They are removable, transparent, plastic aligners that need to be switched out every two weeks, as the orthodontist slowly moves your teeth into a better alignment. Apart from being invisible, they are also comfortable as they have no wires poking around. They are removable so can be conveniently removed while eating, and brushing. So you can now enjoy your meal without your braces holding you back. It is easier to keep your teeth clean too unlike metal braces. Various studies have also shown great improvement in gum health with clear aligner treatment.

Regardless of whichever treatment option you choose, it is very to maintain proper oral hygiene. Throughout the treatment process, religiously brushing and flossing twice daily is extremely essential. So do not let your doubts cage you (like braces) from smiling wide, instead get K clear aligner treatment and smile fearlessly!