If you’ve been diagnosed with a crossbite or suspect you have one, you might be wondering if crossbite correction in adults is possible.
Maybe you’re worried that orthodontic treatment is only effective for kids and teens or that correcting a crossbite later in life automatically means surgery.
The reality is much more encouraging. Thanks to advances in orthodontics, there are now multiple effective, discreet ways to fix a crossbite at any age, often without surgery.
Our Brooklyn orthodontist, Dr. Ankush Khanna, is breaking down what causes a crossbite, why it’s worth treating, and what your options are as an adult.
What Is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is a type of malocclusion (misaligned bite) where one or more of the upper teeth sit inside of the lower teeth when you bite down. In a healthy bite, the upper teeth sit slightly outside of the lower teeth all the way around the arch.
Crossbites can involve:
- A single tooth or multiple teeth
- The front teeth (anterior crossbite)
- The back teeth (posterior crossbite)
- One side of the mouth (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral)
Some crossbites are easy to spot, while others are subtle and only show up during a professional exam.
What Causes a Crossbite?
So, what causes a crossbite? The bite problem can be due to:
- Genetics
- Teeth erupting at abnormal angles
- Early or delayed loss of baby teeth
- Missing teeth
- Prolonged thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing
- A narrow upper jaw
- Jaw growth discrepancies
In adults, the jaws are fully developed, so treatment focuses on correcting tooth position, improving bite function, and, only in certain cases, addressing skeletal discrepancies.
Why Treat an Adult Crossbite?
Even if a crossbite doesn’t bother you cosmetically, leaving it untreated can lead to:
- Uneven enamel wear
- Gum recession
- Jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Headaches or facial strain
- Difficulty chewing or biting comfortably
Additionally, keep in mind that untreated bite problems often get worse with age. Correcting a crossbite can improve oral health, comfort, and long-term stability, not just the appearance of your smile.
How to Fix a Crossbite in Adults
Can Braces Fix a Crossbite in Adults?
Yes, braces for adults are often an option for crossbite treatment. Modern braces are smaller, more comfortable, and far more precise than they used to be.
At Fresh Orthodontics, we offer:
Metal Braces
Metal braces are effective for treating mild, moderate, and sometimes even complex crossbites. While metal braces for adults used to be somewhat taboo, they’ve recently seen a resurgence in popularity.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Prefer a more discreet look? Clear braces blend in with your natural tooth color while delivering the same corrective power as metal braces.
Whether you choose metal or clear braces, generally, your appliance will be paired with elastics or rubber bands. Crossbite elastics connect to a top tooth and a bottom tooth on both sides of the mouth. This provides the connective force needed to align the bite (the way the upper and lower teeth fit together).
Can Clear Aligners Fix a Crossbite?
Clear aligners like Spark™ Aligners may be another option for crossbite correction in adults without surgery.
Spark Aligners can be very effective for:
- Single-tooth crossbites
- Mild to moderate dental crossbites
- Crossbites caused by tooth tipping or crowding
In these cases, aligners gently reposition the teeth in each arch. To correct the bite, Dr. Khanna will likely pair your aligners with tooth-colored attachments and crossbite elastics.
Advanced Crossbite Correction in Adults Without Surgery
Some adult crossbites are caused by a narrow upper jaw rather than tooth position alone.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This is because the orthodontist can spot emerging issues, like a crossbite, while the jaw is still growing.
In childhood, the upper jaw, or maxilla, is made up of two bones with the midline suture, a natural seam of connective tissue, sitting between the halves. By applying gentle pressure at the midline suture using a palatal expander, we can shift the halves apart and widen the upper jaw.
New bone eventually forms in between the halves, which stabilizes the expansion and fixes the skeletal discrepancy.
By adulthood, however, the upper jaw has fused into one solid bone. This makes traditional childhood expanders ineffective in adults. Thankfully, modern orthodontics still offers solutions.
Skeletal Expansion for Adults
In select cases, orthodontists can use mini-implant–supported expanders, which anchor to the bone instead of the teeth. This bone-borne appliance provides enough force to widen the upper jaw, helping to correct certain skeletal crossbites without orthognathic surgery.
The process is minimally invasive and carefully planned using advanced digital imaging.
For more severe jaw discrepancies, a combined orthodontic and surgical approach may still be recommended.
Orthognathic Surgery for Crossbite Correction: When is it Needed?
Orthognathic surgery for crossbite correction is only recommended in severe cases where there is a significant jaw discrepancy that interferes with oral health and function.
The good news? Most adult crossbites do not require surgery.
When surgery is needed, it’s part of a carefully coordinated plan between Dr. Khanna and your oral surgeon. Treatment starts with braces or Spark Aligners, followed by corrective jaw surgery. Once you’ve healed from jaw surgery, you’ll have one more round of braces or aligners to fine-tune your teeth and bite.
While this approach takes time and the recovery period is significant, the results are dramatic and permanent.
What to Expect During Crossbite Treatment
Your treatment plan depends on:
- The type of crossbite
- Its underlying cause
- Its severity and whether it’s tooth- or jaw-related
- Your overall oral health and goals
Adult orthodontic treatment is highly customized. At Fresh Orthodontics, Dr. Khanna uses advanced diagnostics and digital planning to design an efficient, customized plan tailored to your anatomy.
Crossbite Treatment for Adults in Brooklyn
If you’ve been wondering whether crossbite correction in adults is worth pursuing, the answer is yes. With today’s adult orthodontic treatment options, most crossbites can be corrected safely, predictably, and often without surgery.
At Fresh Orthodontics in Park Slope, we specialize in modern orthodontic care designed for your busy lifestyle.
Thinking about correcting a crossbite?
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Khanna and explore your options for a stunning smile and a healthier, more comfortable bite.
