This article provides an overview of crossbites, as well as common causes and treatments.
What Is a Crossbite?
When the teeth are aligned correctly, the upper teeth will fit slightly over the lower teeth. In a crossbite, the opposite occurs: Some upper teeth are positioned inside the lower teeth.
Each person’s individual crossbite is unique. A crossbite can affect a single tooth or a group of teeth, and one or both sides of the jaw.
Posterior Crossbite
Posterior crossbites affect the back teeth. In this type of crossbite, the upper back teeth will sit inside of the lower back teeth when you bite down. They can be unilateral (affecting teeth on either the right or left side of the jaw) or bilateral (affecting both sides equally).
Anterior Crossbite
An anterior crossbite affects the front teeth. In this case, the lower front teeth are positioned to stick out past the upper front teeth. This is commonly known as an “underbite.”
Anterior crossbites are considered to be the most common type of crossbite.
Signs and Symptoms of Crossbite in Adults
In addition to the appearance of tooth misalignment, other physical symptoms of a crossbite are:
Happen at the front of the mouth (anterior) or the back of the mouth (posterior)Affect one side or both sides of the jawInvolve a single tooth or a group of teeth
Mouth or jaw pain, including jaw joint discomfort Headaches Trouble chewing or biting food Grinding or clenching of the teeth Wear on the surfaces of the teeth Speech impediments, such as a lisp Gum disease and tooth decay Altered shape or appearance of facial features, including jaw/facial asymmetry
In some cases, a person may not have any symptoms.
What Causes a Crossbite?
Crossbites can be caused by genetics, in which you inherit tooth misalignment from a biological parent, or other external factors, such as thumb-sucking in childhood or an accident that caused jaw trauma.
Crossbite can also be the result of a combination of these factors.
Genetics
For many people, having a crossbite can be inherited. This means that the tooth misalignment trait is passed down by a parent.
For example, underlying genetic causes of a crossbite could include:
Jaw shape Genetic birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate Overcrowded, abnormally shaped teeth Extra teeth
Environmental Factors
A crossbite can also result from environmental factors, which means that it’s caused by an external (outside) force. Because the teeth are bone, they can be moved or pushed out of place with the right amount of pressure or damage.
Common environmental factors may include:
Prolonged thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or bottle use in childhood Delayed loss of baby teeth Little space between baby teeth Missing teeth or jaw fracture resulting from accidents or injuries Ill-fitting dental crowns, dental appliances, retainers, or braces Tumors of the mouth or jaw Ectopically erupting teeth (teeth erupting in the wrong position)
Making a Plan to Treat Crossbite
To correct a crossbite, it’s necessary to be examined by a dental healthcare professional, like a dentist or an orthodontist. Depending on the type and severity of the crossbite, the specialist will come up with a treatment plan that works for you by considering several factors such as:
Your ageOverall healthMedical historyPersonal preferences
How Is Crossbite Treated?
The goal of crossbite treatment is to correct the positioning of the teeth. There are several different options, including:
Braces (brackets placed on teeth and connected by an adjustable wire to move teeth) Clear aligners (clear dental appliances that go over teeth in stages to shape teeth) Rapid palate expander (device used to widen the upper jaw) Reverse pull headgear (device worn on the head to pull the upper jaw forward)
Other possible treatments include:
Tooth extraction (pulling teeth) to help with overcrowding Capping, bonding, or reshaping teeth Jaw surgery to reshape the jawbone, in severe cases
Cost of Crossbite Treatment
The cost of correcting a crossbite will depend on the treatment option you choose, where you seek treatment, and if dental insurance is accessible to you.
As an example, orthodontic treatments like braces can cost on average around $5,000. Clear aligners, on the other hand, could range from $2,000 to $9,000.
While most dental insurance plans will cover at least some of the cost of orthodontia treatments, patients usually pay for a solid portion of the treatment, too. It’s helpful to know that many orthodontic offices offer payment plans to help break up the costs and can work with patients to make the investment manageable.
Summary
A crossbite is a misalignment of one or more teeth, in any part of the mouth, resulting in the upper teeth fitting inside the lower teeth. Crossbites can be painful, affect your ability to chew, and cause extra wear and tear on the teeth. Causes include genetics or childhood behaviors like thumb-sucking. Depending on the type and severity of the crossbite, common treatment options include braces, aligners, palate expanders, headgear, and, in severe cases, surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Crossbites are common and treatable. It’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible and accessible to you, so the misalignment and symptoms don’t worsen. Fortunately, there are a number of different options for aligning your bite. If you need help locating an orthodontist in your area, the American Association of Orthodontists’ locator tool is a good place to start.
