Common orthodontic problem – Cross bite

Dental arrangement in the mandible- lower jaw and maxilla- the upper jaw is very important for proper mastication, chewing food, apart from the aesthetic looks and smile. Teeth arrangement in the dental arches is very precise with proper alignment of opposite teeth in both the upper and lower dental arches. The relation between the upper and lower teeth as their surfaces come in contact when the jaw is closed is called occlusion. Abnormality in this relationship or misalignment of teeth is malocclusion and causes several orthodontic problems.

Often we come across conditions of misalignment of teeth either as hereditary aberration or because of some of the habits right from childhood to adulthood. Cross bite is one of the common orthodontic problems that need attention and early correction. When you close your mouth the teeth in the upper jaw should overlap the opposite teeth in the lower jaw. If it is reverse either in case of one teeth or group of teeth, where the upper teeth are behind the lower teeth the defective alignment is malocclusion called Cross bite.

Cross bite is broadly two types based on the region of the mouth where this misalignment or malocclusion occurs. 1. Anterior cross bite occurring in the front of mouth and 2. Posterior cross bite the one occurring in the back on either side of mouth. In anterior cross bite one or group of upper front teeth close behind the front lower teeth. In the posterior cross bite the upper molar teeth touch the lower molars at their inner part instead of outer part.

The condition of Cross bite may occur due to skeletal abnormality like congenital microgonathia where hereditarily one develops smaller upper jaw (maxilla) while the lower jaw is normal. This results in total cross bite where the malocclusion occurs both anterior and posterior. This condition needs early correction to avoid severe complications as the age advances.

The Cross bite may be dental in nature due to dental misalignment of teeth only. Habits like mouth breathing cause misalignment affecting the occlusion.

Both anterior and posterior cross bites warrant immediate attention and correction, lest it leads to severe complications like losing teeth, wearing of enamel of teeth, receding gums and the most painful jaw disorder, TMJD and also affect the facial structure.

The orthodontists at Dentist and Dontist dental clinic are specially trained in the modern methodologies of treatment to offer painless treatment for faster correction of the Cross bite for any age group retaining the natural aesthetic looks of facial features in the process of correction of this malocclusion.