What is a crossbite?
With a crossbite, individual teeth or groups of teeth bite together incorrectly to the side — the upper and lower jaw meet offset. Normally the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower ones; with a crossbite this relationship is reversed or shifted at one or more points.
Which forms are there?
Technically, a distinction is made above all between the lateral crossbite — usually in the area of the molars — and the anterior crossbite in the area of the incisors. Individual teeth or whole groups of teeth can be affected, on one or both sides.
What consequences can a crossbite have?
An untreated crossbite rarely remains without consequences, because the forces during chewing are distributed unevenly:
- Uneven jaw loading — individual teeth and areas of the jaw are overloaded.
- Jaw joint complaints in the long term — the asymmetric loading can strain the jaw joint.
- Wear — uneven wear of the affected teeth.
- In children, a crossbite can affect jaw growth — an early assessment is therefore advisable.
How is a crossbite corrected?
In many cases a crossbite can be corrected with clear aligners: the individually made trays move the affected teeth into the correct position in a controlled way. For more pronounced malocclusions, additional aids such as elastics are used for bite correction. Planning is done with AI support based on a 3D scan.
When should a crossbite be treated?
Particularly with a crossbite, an early assessment in children is important, as growth can be used deliberately (see orthodontics for children). But a crossbite is also treatable in adults — teeth can be moved at any age.
Treating a crossbite in Zurich
Do you suspect a crossbite in yourself or your child? You'll find more about our orthodontics in Zurich and the aligner treatment on our treatment pages — or arrange a no-obligation consultation directly at our practice at Löwenplatz in Zurich. We assess the bite and show you the possible result as a 3D preview.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual dental advice. Whether and which treatment is right for you is something we determine in a personal consultation based on your individual situation.
