Fixing Crossbite with Invisalign
A misalignment of the lower and upper jaw, a crossbite can not only be painful but can lead to serious future dental complications as well. Traditionally, metal braces were the primary method for treating crossbites but clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are growing in popularity. Invisalign offers patients a comfortable, discreet, and efficient method for correcting their crossbites which will be the focus of this article.
Crossbite Overview
When properly aligned, the upper teeth should fall slightly in front of the lower teeth. A type of bite misalignment, a crossbite occurs when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Crossbites commonly result in symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Frequent toothaches
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Swollen or aching jaw
Often, crossbites are caused by genetics and the condition could have been inherited from the patient’s parents. In other cases, crossbites can develop from unhealthy childhood habits including thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and excessive use of a pacifier after the age of three. Delayed or abnormal tooth growth can also cause a crossbite to develop.
Why is Fixing a Crossbite Important?
Crossbites are treatable and because they can lead to a host of other potential dental issues, they should be addressed as soon as possible. Amongst the complications that can arise from a crossbite are:
- Inability to properly chew or bite
- Poor sleep quality
- Speech impediments
- Jawline deformity
- Asymmetrical smile
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
- Increased tooth enamel wear
- Gum disease
How Are Crossbites Treated?
There are multiple treatments available for crossbites and which option is chosen is dictated by the patient’s age and specific requirements.
- Palate Expander: These devices are used to widen a narrow palate or upper jaw. By expanding the palate area, crossbites are corrected as the lower teeth are allowed to fit inside the uppers. When used in children that are still growing, jaw growth is directed with a fixed palate expander. For adults or those requiring only minimal expansion, a removable expander could be used.
- Orthodontic Braces: Braces are commonly used to correct crossbites by moving teeth into better position. Affixed to the surface of the teeth and connected with wire, braces gently pull the teeth into alignment gradually over time. Often, braces are used along with a palate expander and/or rubber bands to correct bite alignment.
- Jaw Surgery: Should a crossbite be severe, surgical intervention may be necessary. With jaw surgery, the jawbone is broken in multiple places and reset in the proper place. Before and after surgery, braces are commonly used to help keep teeth in alignment.
Using Invisalign to Correct a Crossbite
Clear aligners, like Invisalign, can be used to treat most types of crossbites but are most effective for cases of mild misalignment. The process to get aligners begins with an initial consultation where the dentist takes 3D images of the patient’s mouth and may show before and after pictures of how the patient’s smile will be transformed. Once a treatment plan has been determined and agreed upon, the patient will receive a set of customized aligners designed to precisely fit their teeth.
The clear aligners are almost invisible and offer the patient a discrete alignment treatment option. Each set of aligners are worn for 5-7 days before they are replaced with the next set. The sets work to incrementally straighten and move the teeth into proper alignment.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Correct Crossbites?
The duration of Invisalign treatment varies based on the severity of the patient’s crossbite. Time is also needed to create the aligner trays after the 3D imaging that was performed in the initial consultation.
Each set of aligners are worn for a week. The number of weeks the patient will wear the clear aligners will be determined by the number of trays issued. In cases of mild bite misalignment, Invisalign treatment could take as few as three months to fix. Should a crossbite be more severe, Invisalign treatment could last up to 18 months.
Advantages of Using Invisalign to Correct a Crossbite
Invisalign offers a modern alternative to treating crossbites that many patients find preferable to conventional metal braces. Some of the reasons patients prefer using Invisalign to correct a crossbite include:
- More comfortable: One of the biggest drawbacks of conventional braces is that contending with their metal wires, brackets, and elastics, makes the devices uncomfortable for the wearer. Additionally, the pressure associated with pulling motion traditional braces utilize can also be uncomfortable. With Invisalign, the treatment is painless as the aligner trays only place gentle pressure to gradually push the teeth and jaw into correct position.
- Invisible: Traditional braces can be bulky and because they are metal, they are noticeable to others. Because they are clear, Invisalign aligners will not be noticeable and as such, the wearer can smile confidently with the knowledge others cannot see the devices. This is often preferable for working adults in professional settings seeking a more discrete treatment option.
- Easy to clean: Unlike braces, Invisalign trays do not have metal wires or brackets that food particles can get trapped in. Braces also require specialized floss threaders and technique modifications in order to properly remove food debris. The aligner trays should be worn 22 hours a day and can be removed whenever the patient eats or cleans their teeth. This allows the patient to clean their teeth as they normally would without having to modify their flossing and brushing routine they way they would with braces. When removed, the aligners should be soaked regularly.
- Enhances self-confidence: Having misaligned teeth can affect a person’s appearances and self-confidence. By correcting a crossbite, appearances are improved, the smile is restored, and the patient is more confident. Using a discrete system like Invisalign, allows the patient to treat their crossbite in the least noticeable manner possible.
- Customized fit: Invisalign trays are custom made to the patient’s specifications based on 3D images taken during the initial consultation. This allows the trays to fit securely over the patient’s teeth to gradually transform the smile and move the teeth into proper alignment.