What Is A Crossbite?
When your upper and lower teeth do not quite meet up, you could have a crossbite. A crossbite is not a severe dental issue, but it certainly does have serious effects on your physical health and your self-esteem. As an adult, you might be turning more toward cosmetic dentistry as an option for improving the look and feel of your smile.
If you are looking for new options to change your look, this guide will help you better understand crossbites and their treatments.
What Is a Crossbite?
The best way to determine if you have a crossbite is to bite down naturally. Look for a potential misalignment in the way the teeth come together. The upper teeth and lower teeth are meant to line up directly, but often the upper teeth come up and over to hide part of the lower teeth. Crossbites can be relatively common, and most people do not even realize that their teeth are misaligned.
What Health Issues Do Crossbites Come With?
Unfortunately, dental issues are often linked to crossbites and other dental problems. You might experience tooth decay and gum disease. You might see your gums swelling up from infection. People with crossbites are also much more likely to grind their teeth or even experience jaw pain.
Not all issues are linked to dental concerns. For instance, you might experience intense headaches or muscle pain related to the misalignment of your teeth.
Crossbites also come with different types of cosmetic issues. For instance, people with misaligned teeth often experience changes in facial development.
What Treatments Are Available for Crossbites?
Crossbites are treatable through several methods, but most commonly through braces and other orthodontia. The dentist might also choose to remove teeth, allowing some of the bottom teeth to move backward. A palatal expander also allows the palate to develop, which is great for adults. You can wear it at night only if you are worried about aesthetics.
Restoration is another possibility, which occurs when the dentist attempts to cap or reshape the teeth. In some cases, cosmetic dentistry may include surgery, which commonly involves breaking the jaw to ensure that it heals in a way that prevents the bite from misaligning again.
Crossbites and other misaligned teeth issues are only a small sampling of the issues that cosmetic dentists deal with. Make an appointment today to learn how your smile can be enhanced and improved.
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