Crossbite: What You Need to Know

crossbite

When a child is brought to the dentist, braces may be the last thing parents expect to hear about.  Many do not know that even kids as young as three or four can be diagnosed with a crossbite, and if that’s the case, parents should be prepared to hear about braces, retainers, and sagittal expanders.  But before those orthodontic appliances are discussed, you are probably wondering – what is a crossbite and what should be done about it?  Here are the answers.

 

What Is a Crossbite?

A crossbite can involve just a single tooth or several teeth on either side of the mouth (or even both). If any of your or your child’s tooth or several teeth lay closer to the tongue or cheek instead of standing together evenly, you probably have a crossbite.

 

What Can Be Done About It?

The dental industry is still divided into two sides when the topic is the right time to initiate crossbite treatment. Some suggest that treatment should start as soon as a diagnosis is made, which can be as early as three years old. Others say that parents should wait at least until a child’s molars come out. But even with the difference of opinion regarding when treatment should be done, all dental professionals agree that crossbite is not a condition that should be left untreated. Why? Because it presents a number of complications that include gum and tooth wear, temporomandibular joint disorder, and even facial asymmetry.

 

What Is the Treatment Like?

Crossbite treatment aims for the bite pattern to match evenly on all sides, and that involves adjusting how a child’s teeth are spread using dental appliances. It can be done using dental expanders which are similar to orthodontic retainers. They include a screw that you can tighten every night to “spread” a child’s bite to the width prescribed by the dentist. Other options like dental headgear, clear aligners, and braces may also be used, usually when a single tooth is out of alignment.

 

Crossbites are generally considered as a genetic condition, so they are not that common. But if your child happens to have it, know that it is imperative that crossbite is treated before it can permanently affect your child’s oral and facial development. That’s why if your visit to the dentist leads to a discussion about your child having a crossbite and needing to wear a dental expander, don’t just shrug it off. Learn more about it and the necessary treatment to address this problem.

 

Have your child scheduled for a dental check up with Dr. Marvin Lean at Pickering Square Dental. He can tell if your child has a crossbite and offer you the best treatment approach possible.

Keeping Your Teeth Straight Post-Braces

smiling female holding invisible teeth braces front of perfect smile

If you have been wearing braces for years, you are probably looking forward to the day when you finally get to have yours removed! Of course, you are excited about finally getting to see your improved smile, with your teeth perfectly aligned. Imagine how enjoyable your first meal will be, too!

 

Before you get too excited though, there’s one thing you need to know about first – retainers. Yes. When it comes to keeping your teeth straight post-braces, retention plays a very important role.

 

Why Should I Wear a Retainer?

Just because your braces are now ready to be removed doesn’t mean your teeth won’t move anymore. The remodelling process done with your bone that has helped transform your smile didn’t start overnight. You can’t expect it to stop abruptly either.  The pressure from your aligner trays or arch wire made the bone and the connective tissue around your teeth to slightly loosen up, shift, and rebuild the bone around the teeth in the new and corrected positions. This is a really slow and continuous process and it continues even after the pressure from the arch wire or the aligner trays is gone. That’s why you should be committed to wearing retainers after your braces are taken off, to ensure that you get to enjoy that amazing new smile for years and years.

 

How Does a Retainer Work?

Retainers act like brakes, preventing teeth from moving or shifting. Teeth like to shift little by little over time. Retainers tell the roots of your teeth to stop moving, stay in place and properly aligned. There are some retainers that are fixed behind your teeth. The more common ones though are removable. They are made of a metal wire and acrylic fitted to your mouth, intended to guide your teeth. You have to remember though that retainers need to be worn regularly if you want them to work.

 

How Long Would I Have to Wear Retainers For?

The really crucial period is during the first six months after the braces are removed. This is because the teeth are still trying to move actively. For this reason, it is suggested that you wear your retainers for those six months full time. When that is over, you can start wearing your removable retainers only at night, for the rest of your life.

 

You have read right. You see, while your teeth are really strong, they also shift naturally. And the only way you can keep your teeth looking as good as they are now for as long as you can is to wear retainers. Remember that you only have to wear them at night.

 

Since you have already invested a lot of your time and (maybe your money, too) on your orthodontic treatment, it is only right that you take care of the results for the rest of your life. Talk to your orthodontist about your options, and the things you need to do to make sure your retainers are working for you.

 

 

Getting Braces? Here’s What You Can Expect

Close-up teeth with braces. Woman healthy smile. Orthodontic Treatment

Are you about to get your braces? If so, you are probably feeling a bit anxious now, wondering if braces hurt and what it will be like when you have them on. Well, you can relax, because in truth, the discomfort you will feel from braces is really manageable.

 

We know you would feel more confident when you know more so here are some things you’d want to know if you are getting braces:

 

PLACEMENT

You can expect some discomfort when braces are applied to your teeth. You have to eat slower and your meals will definitely take longer as you’d have to adjust to chewing. It is advisable that you only eat a soft food diet for the first couple of days. You can have soup and yoghurt, eggs, and pasta for example.

 

FIRST THREE DAYS

As your teeth start to realign, you are going to feel some discomfort. It will take time until you get used to the pressure of having wires and elastic ligatures in your mouth. You may find relief from discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain medication. Of course, your orthodontist will provide you with instructions on how you can deal with this discomfort.  In most cases, the slight pain and discomfort are gone by day five.

 

REGULAR ORTHODONTIC APPOINTMENTS

Getting your braces on is only the beginning of the process of straightening your teeth. You are going to have your braces adjusted by your orthodontist from time to time so that your teeth will continue to move properly. Make sure you make it to your appointments. Some discomfort is also expected for a couple of days after each orthodontist appointments.

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH DISCOMFORT

While the discomfort that may be caused by braces is inconvenient, it’s still very manageable. Besides, they only last for a few days after your braces are applied and when you get them adjusted. Over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help to relieve a headache and soreness that are often associated with getting braces. Rinsing with salt water solution may also help alleviate swelling and discomfort.

 

You are not the only one feeling anxious about getting braces. But you need not fret over it much. The question of whether or not braces will hurt should be set aside because they are really bearable. Think of why you’re getting braces instead, and focus on how great your teeth and your smile will be after the braces have done their job!