Effective Solutions and Success Stories in Crossbite Correction in Adults
If you’re an adult and you currently have a crossbite, you might be wondering if there are any solutions for you. Many orthodontists and dentists have probably told you that an adult’s jaw is harder to realign as it has become hardened.
While this might be true, there are still effective solutions for crossbite correction in adults. Come to our office and meet our orthodontist in Hamilton Square, NJ if you are an adult and you are interested in getting your crossbite fixed.
What is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is when someone’s upper jaw is smaller and narrower than their lower jaw. When the person bites down, their upper teeth will sit inside their lower teeth. It’s still considered a crossbite if only some of the upper teeth fit inside the lower jaw and not all.
Crossbites can make your smile look unpleasing and they can also cause a number of different issues in your mouth including difficult chewing and teeth grinding.
Luckily, there are many different solutions to fix your crossbite, even if you are an adult.
Jaw Correction Surgery
Jaw surgery is often used for adults because their jaws are not able to move as easily with just braces or headgear. However, jaw surgery is invasive and much more complicated than some of the other options.
It’s often used as a last resort option if none of the other options can be used in your unique situation.
Jaw surgery requires your jaw to be wired shut for several weeks which can make it hard for you to eat, chew, and even smile. You will need to drink only liquids for several months which can affect your lifestyle and the way you talk and interact with others.
However, jaw surgery is needed for those with severe issues or those who might have tried other options and they did not work.
Braces
Braces are an effective way to treat not only crossbites in children but in adults as well. In general, braces are the number one choice for orthodontists and dentists to fix crossbites. Keep in mind that you will probably have to get braces in addition to other appliances like expanders. Braces can also give you straight teeth. Once you get your braces removed, you will most likely have to wear a retainer in your mouth to keep the teeth straight for years after you have the braces removed.
The main disadvantage of braces is that they are very noticeable and some people do not like the feeling of wires and brackets on their teeth. However, there are clear brackets that you can get nowadays that make them less conspicuous.
Braces and palatal expanders are the number one way to fix a crossbite in adults. You will usually wear an expander for about 6 months followed by braces for about a year but maybe longer depending on if you have any other issues or not.
Many adults can use the combination of palate expanders and braces without the need to have surgery.
Expanders
A palate expander is one of the most common ways to correct posterior crossbites. The expander can widen the upper jaw and make the upper teeth fit in better with the lower teeth. An expander is usually the first step in crossbite correction in adults. Afterward, you can get braces or Invisalign.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a great method for adults because they are clear aligners and they are not noticeable. You will need to be fitted for these retainers in an orthodontist office and you will need to visit the office every few weeks to get new retainers that fit your teeth as they progress.
Invisalign is great for adults because they are not noticeable and they can be removed if you are eating or drinking.
Invisalign also only takes about one year so it can be a quick way to fix a crossbite. However, not everyone can use Invisalign. It’s best for those that only have minor issues.
Aligners
Invisalign is probably the best-known teeth aligner, however, there are other options you can use if you are not keen on Invisalign. There are many different brands and types available. You can get home teeth aligners that are much cheaper and can be done completely remotely.
In most cases, you will take molds off your teeth and then send the molds back to the company. They will then send the trays to your house and you can begin wearing them.
However, home aligners cannot do all the same work as braces and Invisalign. They can only be used for minor cases and they cannot be incorporated into other parts of your treatment plan since the dentist is not the one making the home aligners.
How Do I Know If I Have a Crossbite?
If you are an adult that has a crossbite, chances are you have known you’ve had it since childhood. A dentist or orthodontist can easily tell if you have a crossbite just by examining your mouth.
You might also have symptoms of a crossbite including teeth grinding and difficulty chewing and eating.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of crossbites:
- Getting cavities often
- Bacterial growth in the mouth
- Pain in the muscles and jaw joints
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Constant headaches, jaw aches, and toothaches
- Poor sleeping
- Slurs, lisps, or other speech impediments
- Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
- Tooth loss
- Periodontal disease
- Plaque builds up on the teeth and mouth
Crossbites can be caused by many different issues including genetic causes and losing baby teeth too early. Crossbites can also develop because of thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and extended use of a bottle or pacifier.
Bordentown Braces and Crossbite Correction for Adults
Getting a crossbite corrected as an adult can seem complicated, but it can be done easily with a few different methods including expanders, braces, and jaw surgery in severe cases.
Contact Bordentown Braces today at 609-291-8555 and schedule a consultation with our orthodontist.
Looking for braces or Invisalign? Looking for an board certified Orthodontist in Central NJ that treats kids, teens and adults? Bordentown Braces serves all surrounding areas of Bordentown, NJ including:
