If information on posterior crossbite treatment is what you seek, the following write-up in which we have explored some treatment options for dealing with this dental problem will be of some help for you.
Our teeth serve various purposes, and eating – mind you, is just one of them. While a good smile is what everyone seeks, not all of us are blessed with perfectly white teeth in perfect alignment which forms the basis of good smile. Issues with alignment of teeth exist in plenty, most common of which are crowding of teeth, very forwardly placed teeth or very backwardly placed teeth. Usually, when we close our mouth, the front upper teeth are placed slightly ahead of the lower front teeth. The same is the case with our posterior teeth. In some cases however, the upper posterior teeth are present on the inner side of the lower teeth, i.e. when seen from the front, the upper teeth may be present on the inner side of the lower teeth.
Posterior Crossbite Treatment Options
A posterior crossbite may not only be unaesthetic to look at, but it is also problematic when it comes to chewing of food. Furthermore, it may not be easy to brush that region, which in turn, makes it vulnerable to the risk of caries. Taking into consideration all these problems, one has no option but to go ahead and opt for one of the various treatment options available (see below).
Intra-oral Appliances
If the crossbite is due to a very small upper jaw i.e. a small maxilla, then an appliance which will help to expand the maxilla has to be fitted. This appliance is fitted usually on the palate of the individual, and it applies lateral force so as to get the maxilla to expand sideways. While this is the ideal option that can be used for an individual who has a small upper jaw, this option can only be exercised in individuals whose maxilla and jaws are still growing, and haven’t completed the growing process. Once the jaw growth is complete, it may be very difficult (at times impossible) to resort to this option.
Orthodontic Treatment
If a person has a posterior crossbite which can be attributed to malpositioning of the upper teeth in relation to the lower teeth, then the best way to deal with it is by fitting in orthodontic braces. These are appliances that need to be kept in the mouth on an average for two years. They apply forces on the teeth with the help of brackets and wires in such a manner that applying the right amount of force in the right direction brings the teeth to their desired position. This is not just a great option for people with crossbites, but also for people who are troubled by other dental problems related to malpositioning of teeth in their jaws.
In some cases, the individual will have to opt for orthodontic treatment to get all his teeth in their required position even after the expansion of maxilla with the help of appliances. People may be apprehensive about this option due to the unsightly idea of metal braces and wires in the mouth, but the fact that there exist many aesthetic options when it comes to dental braces nowadays makes things a lot simpler now.
Other Methods
Many people may not be very open to the idea of braces or they may have passed the age where an appliance can be used to expand the maxilla. Also, sometimes, people have a posterior crossbite in relation to only one tooth. In such rare cases, there is an alternative method that can be employed for single posterior crossbite correction. The dentist may suggest a root canal treatment of the upper tooth, after which the angulation of the said tooth will be changed a little by grind it.
Then, when the crown is placed over the tooth, it is placed in such a way that it manages to just come outside the lower tooth – or may even be edge to edge with the lower tooth. However, very few patients are indicated for this kind of treatment. At the same time, your dentist may be a bit apprehensive about the idea of doing a root canal treatment of a perfectly healthy tooth. And in the end, if the crown is placed at an angulation that is different from its natural angulation, there are high chances that it may not last or it may lead to complications like gum and bone problems in the future.
In most of the cases, a posterior crossbite may not be serious enough to cause problems while eating and cleaning. However, if it is causing problems, then it is best to show it to your dentist so that he can diagnose the condition and suggest you the treatment option that best suits your requirements.
