An individual with a cross bite will have teeth that are out of place when the mouth is closed. Inmost instances, this means that one set of your teeth will either fall inside or outside of the opposing set. For example, your upper teeth may sit inside of the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Many of the causes of cross bite are apparent in childhood or early adulthood. Two of the biggest causes of cross bite are heredity and delayed loss of baby teeth. Both of these situations could cause the teeth to be out of the proper position. Misaligned teeth can cause premature wear and muscular problems in the jaw.
Treatment for cross bite depends upon the severity of the problem and the age of the patient. Children are often easier to treat because their teeth are still in the process of developing. In addition, children are more accepting of the idea of wearing braces. Orthodontics, however, are used to properly align the teeth of both children and adults. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to align the jaws. Temporomandibular joint disorder is another problem that can develop from jaw problems. Over time, orthodontic treatment is the best solution for individuals with cross bite.
Eliminating cross bite can take over a year and requires periodic visits to the orthodontist. Your orthodontist should be able to formulate a treatment plan based on your individual concerns and desires. You may discover, like many, that making multiple payments may be the most effective way to finance the procedure. Your orthodontist or one of his/her staff should be more than willing to help answer any financial questions you may have. Using a credit card or financing the treatment through a third party are ways that you can resolve financing concerns and begin redesigning your smile.