Cross bite is a misalignment of the teeth that causes that, when the mouth is closed, one or more teeth of the upper jaw do not align with the lower ones, approaching the cheek or tongue and leaving the smile crooked.
There are two main types of cross-occlusion:
- In addition to the aesthetic problem.
- The cross stitch can also have other negative effects such as an increased risk of cavities and gum diseases that occur mainly due to the increased difficulty in brushing teeth properly.
Cross occlusion usually occurs quickly during childhood, but does not go away on its own, so it is necessary to do treatment with the use of braces, surgery or tooth extraction, for example, so if this alteration is suspected, even in children, it is important to consult a dentist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
Ideally, treatment for cross-bite should be initiated in childhood or adolescence, when permanent teeth are still growing.However, there are several forms of treatment, which can also be used in adults:
The palatial expander is a device that attaches to the palate, between the molars, and widens it by pushing the teeth outwards, so that it works properly periodic visits to the dentist are necessary to gradually increase the size.
This method works best in children because the roof of the mouth is still developing and it is possible to better control its size, but it can also be used in some adults.
This technique is the most commonly used in cases where the bite is altered by the influence of the lower teeth.After removing one or more teeth, the dentist creates enough space for the teeth to grow properly, without affecting the alignment.
It is one of the most commonly used forms of treatment, especially in adolescence and adulthood, as it helps to place teeth in the right place and align them.To do this, a device that exerts constant pressure to “pull” or “push” the teeth is applied to the teeth, aligning the bite.
Depending on the degree of bite alteration and age, this type of device can be used from a few months to several years, varying greatly from person to person.
Watch the video below and learn more about dental appliances
Surgery is the best treatment for adults with cross-bittening because, although it is a more invasive technique, it produces results with better aesthetics, to perform this type of surgery the surgeon breaks the jaw in several parts and then uses small screws and dental appliances to put them back in the right place.
Since most cross-bite treatments use a certain type of device attached to your teeth, it is very important to maintain proper oral hygiene to prevent cavities and even gum disease.
To do this, it is advisable to brush your teeth well, especially near the places where the device attaches to the tooth, as well as floss between your teeth, as well as avoid eating foods that are too sweet or easily stick to your teeth.because they can leave residues that are harder to remove and facilitate the growth of bacteria.
Find out how to brush your teeth well, even with braces
There are 3 main types of cross-occlusion causes, including:
In addition, when there is an anatomical problem in the nose or throat, such as an enlarged tonsil, the child can start breathing through the mouth and, when this happens, the tongue is constantly raised and placed on the roof of the neck.mouth, which can be harmful jaw development, causing misalignment of the teeth.
When proper treatment of cross-occlusion is not performed, there may be several complications, which vary depending on the degree of alteration of the tooth alignment:
In some cases, cross-biting can even lead to frequent headaches, which occur especially by the constant contraction of the jaw muscle, which can also be called bruxism, and eventually become very tense and painful., which radiates pain to the head. Learn more about bruxism and how to alleviate it.