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Crossbite

Crossbite Correction and How to Straighten Your Smile

Do you find yourself worried about your smile? Do you smile with your lips closed, and feel embarrassed? Do you cover your mouth because you have a crossbite problem? Learn how to straighten your smile.

When the upper and lower teeth do not meet up as they should, this can affect your smile, your self-confidence and lead to other health issues.

The good news is that dental treatments through orthodontists, specialized in their field via orthodontic continuing education, are available to help straighten misaligned bites and give you a better, beautiful smile.

What Happens If You Have a Misaligned Bite?

Keep in mind that a misaligned bite usually occurs when the upper set of teeth end up covering the lower ones when they meet. Throughout the mouth, the teeth can be misaligned. In addition to improper alignment, this affects the appearance of the lips, teeth and the mouth, causing headaches, dental decay, gum diseases, and muscle pain.

According to orthodontists at Gerety Orthodontic Seminars,:

A crosstie at the backside of the teeth can cause grinding of the teeth, jaw problems, abnormal development of the face and wearing of the teeth.

The Treatment Options for Crossbites

According to most orthodontists, the best option for the treatment of misaligned bites all depends on the age of the person with the problem, as well as the type of misalignment. However, the common types of treatment for problems like a crossbite include:

  • Removal of the teeth
  • Jaw surgery
  • Dental restorations
  • Braces as well as some other appliances

Braces

When it comes to crossbites, the best option in the treatment includes the use of braces. These help to move the lower and upper teeth at a gradual pace align them and strengthen them to correct the position of the bite.

In most cases, the braces include traditional ones with metallic braces. However, with modern innovations, adults and children who are conscious about their appearance when wearing braces can opt for other options such as Invisalign braces.

As their name suggests, they are clear aligners that help to improve the shape of the jaw and teeth. The treatment option for Invisalign could last for a shorter period, compared to metallic ones, which require 1-2 years of constant wear.

Invisalign, on the other hand, are removable aligners, making it easier for you eat meals and even brush. Before making the final decision to wear braces or not, it is important that you consult an orthodontic specialist over a general dentist since they have more experience when it comes to alignment of the teeth.

Palatal Expanders

Orthodontists also use palatal expanders to help increase the size of the upper jaw. They fix expanders that attach to the molars of the upper jaw and gradually widen the upper jaw with a special key, even though removable expanders fit into the upper palate and they are wearable at night.

Using removable expanders is a good choice since they are suitable for adults as well and they require a small amount of adjustment.

Tooth Removal

Dentist

Orthodontists, when treating children and adults may want to remove the teeth in order to make some more room for the lower teeth to move back before they fit the braces. This is a good option as well; however, it requires a lot of care and precise attention to the jaw and alignment of the teeth.

 Headgear

Orthodontists also use headgears they put on the head and the face, attached to the patient’s teeth with wires. These force the teeth and the jaw from the headgear, slow or increase the growth of the jaws over time; this makes this an effective treatment in teenagers as well as children.

Dental Restorations

Reshaping, bonding, and capping of the teeth could help to improve the mild case of crossbites or misaligned bites. For more on how this option helps crossbites, you can consult an orthodontist near you.

Surgery

For adult patients, surgical assistance can be the best treatment, especially for those whose jaw stops growing. The surgeon would break the upper jaw into some sections, after the procedure, the patient then has to wear a special device that helps to mold the shape of the teeth. This helps to set the lower jaw back to its original, normal position.

Clear Braces Help to Retain the Teeth for a Lifetime

Clear Braces Help to Retain the Teeth

Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of any experienced dental care provider who has spent time in continuing education is to retain the patient’s teeth for a longer time, often for life.

The benefits of choosing to wear dental, clear braces actually extend way beyond just a pretty smile. Wearing clear braces tends to offer patients the chance to straighten teeth, at the same time; it helps to boost self-esteem daily. Even though every patient is not actually a suitable candidate for braces or Invisalign, they prove to provide an effective improvement in oral health.

With advancements in technology, dentists also continue to search for the best options to cure the problems of crossbites. For further information on the treatment options, the cost, and answers to any questions you have before the treatment, it is best that you visit experienced healthcare providers in your area.

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