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A crossbite is described as when the top and bottom teeth don't connect in the correct position in a bite. At an early age, dentists can identify a crossbite. Recommendations for treatment are probably the next move they would take. The reason being that if left untreated, a crossbite can cause the jaw to look uneven, plus several other dental issues.
Various treatments for crossbite are available, including surgery, elastics, and braces. The kind of treatment you will get depends on whether you have an anterior or posterior crossbite and its severity.
In this post, we'll be discussing:
It is our aim that this information will open your eyes to this condition and help you seek the correct solution.
When the top teeth sit on the inside of the bottom teeth, or the top teeth overhangs the bottom teeth too far, it becomes a crossbite. The way a crossbite looks from the outside can be an uneven or asymmetrical jaw.
Genetic factors like overcrowded teeth can cause crossbite. Behavioural factors like thumb sucking may also be responsible for this condition. Since there are so many different ways a crossbite can occur, there are also varying terms that can be used to describe it.
Highly recommend Museum Dental Suite. Their work is of the highest calibre, professional and friendly.
I'm very thankful they for excellent aftercare advice and for making me relaxed and so well treated.
I've recommended them to both my family and friends.
I have been undertaking a cosmetic treatment (Invisalign) for around eight months here, off the back of a recommendation of a friend who had the same treatment. The professionalism and perfectionism with which my treatment was delivered was outstanding, as was the general service and were all of the staff I encountered.
My dentist Dr. Wahab Shakir was particularly great, with a friendly, reassuring manner and an eye for detail. He always went above and beyond, without ever being asked.
I'm now almost at the end of my treatment and couldn't be more pleased with how treatment has gone. Given the service and end result I'd also consider it excellent value for money.
Keep up the good work Museum Dental Suites!
Many different ways to classify this dental problem exists based on how many teeth are impacted, their location in the mouth, and the position they are in. We will be giving you an overview of the distinct terms used in describing what a crossbite is:
This condition is also known as an underbite. An anterior crossbite affects the front of the mouth. Here, the top teeth rest at the back of the bottom teeth at the front. A few different factors lead to this problem, including:
A crossbite type like this can be quite visible, causing the chin to project forward or the jaw to appear non-uniform.
As the name implies, they affect the teeth at the back. Here, the top teeth sit inward of the bottom teeth, when they should rest a bit over them. Interestingly, the same things that cause underbite are also responsible for this problem. Not only that, baby teeth falling out late, and permanent teeth showing up in the wrong order or position can also cause the problem.
It is easy to treat posterior crossbite, particularly when it is noticed early, during the time the permanent teeth are protruding.
In the case of buccal, the teeth are too far out towards the cheek, while in lingual, the teeth are too far in towards the tongue. People that have either of these two types of malocclusion usually feel a lot of the biting surface of the inner tooth when they close their mouth.
Both sides of the mouth are affected by the crossbite in a bilateral condition. But in a unilateral case, only one side of the mouth is affected by the crossbite. The kind of treatment your dentist will offer for these issues will be similar, but the technique of what they do will be slightly different.
A diagnosis of single tooth crossbite means it affects only one tooth. It may be brought about by the excessive projection of a single bottom tooth (usually one of the front teeth or canine), or when an upper tooth is pushed towards the inside of the mouth.
When it comes to a segmental crossbite, just a few and not all of the teeth do not line up. In this case, two or three teeth in a row are normally affected.
You can simply look at the table below and see how each crossbite type is described and how they affect the teeth.
|
Type of crossbite |
Description |
|
Anterior |
The front teeth are affected |
|
Posterior |
The back teeth are affected |
|
Buccal |
The teeth are projected towards the cheek |
|
Lingual |
Teeth are projected towards the tongue |
|
Bilateral |
One side of the mouth is affected |
|
Unilateral |
Both sides of the mouth are affected |
|
Single tooth |
Only one tooth is affected |
|
Segmental |
Only 2 to 3 teeth are affected |
Though crossbite may be described in various ways by dentists, in most cases the treatment options are similar. Treating crossbite at early childhood is the best. At this stage, the bones and teeth are easy to move since they are not rigidly fixed.
Research shows that when crossbite is treated at childhood, there is up to 80% chance of getting an effective treatment without the need for other solutions.
Orthodontic treatment on the top and bottom teeth is a very common solution to posterior and anterior crossbites.A palate expander is commonly used in crossbite braces. The function of this device is to expand the upper jaw so that the teeth at the top can align with those at the bottom just the way every well-aligned teeth feels and look.
From time to time, the palate expander needs to be tweaked, and gradually the teeth in the upper jaw are pushed further apart. However, there is a quick expansion method that can realign the teeth correctly within a few months.
When the palate has been stretched to the correct size, there may be a need to straighten the teeth further. Different kinds of bonded braces can be used for this work. When all the orthodontic treatment has been done, the teeth will be held in place by retainers.
Most people do not like fixed or metal braces. But the good news is there are other treatment options that are reliable for most dental cases such as clear braces or invisible aligners.
Kindly bear in mind that treatments other than metal braces will demand private treatment since the NHS only covers metal braces.Only elastics can be used to treat a posterior crossbite. You will get to know more about this as you keep reading.
Firstly what a great dentist, all the staff were friendly and very helpful as this was my first time here.
I had called for an emergency appointment due to a sudden cracked tooth and Dr Wahab Shakir despite the end of day fast approaching (30 minutes till close) he said he would see me.
The treatment was not straight forward due to the crack but Dr Shakir after a lengthy time managed to save the tooth/restore it and prevent what I believe most dentists would have done which install a crown - Thank you!
Highly recommend this dentist and service and I am grateful for not only seeing me within an hour but also staying passed closing time and finally for doing a Stella job.
This is a top notch dentist who makes you feel at ease which for someone liked me is important. The staff are very professional, polite, courteous and friendly. Marios, my dentist is extremely patient and cares about your dental care and the service you receive. Just received my new dentures and they have been done to a very high standard and am very pleased. I have nothing but praise for the staff and the treatment/service I received.
Mild to moderate cases of crossbite can be treated with clear aligners; it proves to be an effective orthodontic work. The perks of using Invisalign is that the trays are not easily noticed, and patients can take them out for 2 hours in a day.
Should you be considering treatment with Invisalign braces, you can come for an eligibility test at our practice. For a face to face discussion with our dentist, you can book an appointment with us.
Sometimes, crossbite teeth at the back of the mouth can be treated with elastics. During this procedure, the orthodontist will fix a hook to the inside of the top tooth, and the outside of the bottom tooth, connecting them with an elastic band.
The idea is to pull the back tooth outwards to enable it to sit comfortably on the lower tooth like it's supposed to. This procedure is quite simple and can take about 3 to 4 months.
A severe case of crossbite will require surgery. Granted, an operation can be disturbing, but it's a common and smart procedure. In the UK, the NHS covers the cost of jaw realignment surgery for children and some adults.Before the start of a crossbite surgery, patients have to undergo 12 to 18 months of braces treatment, and the extraction of wisdom teeth if any is found. This process is necessary as the operation to realign your asymmetrical jaw takes place at the back of the mouth.
During jaw realignment surgery for children or adults, the jaw is broken and positioned properly. After that, the surgeon will hold it in position using plates and screws. There wouldn't be any visible scarring since all the incisions are done inside your mouth.
The duration for crossbite surgery is 6 to 12 weeks, thereafter 4 to 6 months of orthodontic treatment may be required. Should you or your child get anxious over crossbite surgery, ask the dentist to show you what the 'before' and 'after' of crossbite operation looks like. With that, you will be able to comprehend what the outcome of your treatment will be.
Since crossbite is typically fixed during childhood, it is free of charge on the NHS.
However, you can grow into an adult and still have a unilateral or bilateral crossbite due to some reasons. You may still be able to get this treatment on the NHS because of the issues associated with not getting crossbite correction. We recommend you talk to your dentist to know your treatment options. Should you qualify for the NHS jaw realignment surgery and braces, the fee is £269.30 in England.
But what happens if as an adult, you are not qualified for the NHS crossbite surgery? What if you opt for private treatment? In the UK, fixing asymmetrical jaw via private surgery attracts a lot of variables which all adds up to the overall cost of the operation.
You may have to pay from £2500 and above for jaw surgery. Consult your dentist or surgeon for a more precise quote.
Aesthetically, crossbite may not look like a serious issue, however failing to receive the right treatment for crossbite can cause more problems in the future. So many issues are linked with a posterior and anterior crossbite. They include:
Failing to treat crossbite can have some risks, and based on this, it is possible to get orthodontic treatment on the NHS. Visit the NHS website to know what's up for offer.
Yes. Don't feel that since you're already an adult, you can't be treated of crossbite. In other words, it is never too late to fix and straighten up your pearly whites.
It's interesting to know that all the treatment options listed here, from braces, surgery, to elastics can be used to treat crossbite in adults. Most times, a lot of adults choose to be treated with nearly invisible aligners or clear braces so that their treatment would be unnoticeable. This eliminates self-consciousness and allows you to go about your daily activities without attracting the attention of people to your teeth.
A dental issue like crossbite is comparatively simple to treat, with children cases being a little easier than that of adults. Hearing about crossbite treatment for the first time from your dentist may be confusing, but you should feel free to ask questions if you don't understand certain aspects. Do bear in mind that this treatment will always require having something installed in your mouth; it can be hooks for posterior crossbite, and braces, metal plates, and elastics, from surgery.
That you havecrossbite braces doesn't really imply that metal brackets will be attached to your teeth. Most patients who are having a crossbite can be effectively treated with clear aligners. Want to find out if you are eligible for treatment with Invisalign invisible braces? Consult your dentist for an assessment test.
On the other hand, if you would prefer an in-person consultation, schedule an appointment with us and get treated as much as possible.
You will love working with us to get your teeth straightened as our team is very experienced, friendly and smart. And at the end of the day, your result will look better and more beautiful. Call 0207 183 0886 today to book an appointment with our dentist.
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|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM - 6 PM |
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| Wednesday | 9 AM - 6 PM |
| Thursday | 8.30 AM - 7 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM - 5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Highly recommend Museum Dental Suite. Their work is of the highest calibre, professional and friendly.
I'm very thankful they for excellent aftercare advice and for making me relaxed and so well treated.
I've recommended them to both my family and friends.
I have been undertaking a cosmetic treatment (Invisalign) for around eight months here, off the back of a recommendation of a friend who had the same treatment. The professionalism and perfectionism with which my treatment was delivered was outstanding, as was the general service and were all of the staff I encountered.
My dentist Dr. Wahab Shakir was particularly great, with a friendly, reassuring manner and an eye for detail. He always went above and beyond, without ever being asked.
I'm now almost at the end of my treatment and couldn't be more pleased with how treatment has gone. Given the service and end result I'd also consider it excellent value for money.
Keep up the good work Museum Dental Suites!
Firstly what a great dentist, all the staff were friendly and very helpful as this was my first time here.
I had called for an emergency appointment due to a sudden cracked tooth and Dr Wahab Shakir despite the end of day fast approaching (30 minutes till close) he said he would see me.
The treatment was not straight forward due to the crack but Dr Shakir after a lengthy time managed to save the tooth/restore it and prevent what I believe most dentists would have done which install a crown - Thank you!
Highly recommend this dentist and service and I am grateful for not only seeing me within an hour but also staying passed closing time and finally for doing a Stella job.
This is a top notch dentist who makes you feel at ease which for someone liked me is important. The staff are very professional, polite, courteous and friendly. Marios, my dentist is extremely patient and cares about your dental care and the service you receive. Just received my new dentures and they have been done to a very high standard and am very pleased. I have nothing but praise for the staff and the treatment/service I received.
Best dentist ever hands down. Least painful and least scary experiences here (I'm usually really scared of going to the dentist, and even find the initial anaesthetic injection painful) - they really care about the patient, and making sure you're comfortable, results are also fab. Seriously can't imagine a better dentist!
After lots of research I was very happy with the results and the service at Museum Dental. 100% I would recommend to a friend. I couldn't be more pleased.
