The dentist says you have a crossbite – what does that mean? It’s a common dental issue. While it won’t straighten out on its own, treatment options are available to correct it.
A crossbite, sometimes called an underbite, is a form of malocclusion. It means your teeth don’t line up correctly when you close your mouth. It can affect one or two teeth or a group of teeth, like your front or back teeth.
We brought our 1.5 and 3.5 year old daughters here for cleaning / check ups. Our dental hygienist Laina was amazing...made them feel so comfortable. They had a great time and keep asking when they can go to the dentist again. Dr. Hoffman was great too and made everything super quick and not stressful. Great place for kids in addition to adults!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your little ones had such a positive experience. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Laina and Dr. Hoffman! 💙
Every person in the office is so personable. That first off makes you comfortable. But then the methods used to clean my teeth, particularly. I don't feel a thing, and it's the first time in my life that I haven't. And I have a lot of anxiety about dental work, and I really do not feel a thing when my teeth are being cleaned
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and relaxing. It means so much to know you felt at ease with your care!
I came here with my 18 year old daughter who has an immense fear of Doctors and Dentist , The kindness and understanding without any judgement we received from Dr.Thom was just unbelievable. The work he did on my daughter was life changing for her . I would recommend him to anyone . Just amazing, kind talented Doctor.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! It means a great deal to our team to know that you felt welcomed, understood, and cared for. We’re especially grateful you shared how meaningful your experience was.
We met Dr. Shawn in Sept 2023 and in December, he removed our adult nonverbal son's wisdom teeth. Not gonna hold you, general anesthesia is billed incrementally (by the minute/quarter-hour) and is a heavy financial investment. I love this clinic because it really is a safe space for special needs families. There's a huge calm that accompanies knowing your dependent person is getting healthy. Dr. Shawn is exceptional. We drove 6 hours to get here so we'll choose a local practice for routine sedation cleanings down the road. I hope to see more neurodivergent acceptance built locally in our state's dentistry like this team has here. Meanwhile we are so grateful for this practice and grateful our son was in Dr. Shawn's care.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words. We’re honored to be a place where families feel safe, supported, and understood. Your trust in Dr. Thoms and our team truly means so much to us.
Dr. Thoms and Robin are excellent in their care, concern, and support. Dr. Thoms explains everything and takes his time. If I have questions or concerns, he is easy to talk to and listens well.Robin is right there by my side throughout procedures. Her technical skills and professionalism are impressive. She is terrific!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad Dr. Thoms and Robin made you feel heard, supported, and cared for. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful compliments with them—they’ll mean so much!
There are various treatments for crossbites and underbites. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we can help you understand what causes it and how to treat this dental problem.
Types of Crossbites
With a normal bite, your upper teeth should be wider and sit on the outside of your bottom teeth. Each of your upper teeth touches the matching lower teeth so that the force when you chew is evenly distributed across your mouth.
If you have a crossbite, movements such as chewing and clenching cause irregular wear and damage to your teeth and jaw. There are two main types of crossbite:
Posterior crossbite – This occurs when your upper back teeth sit inside your bottom teeth. It may happen on only one side of your mouth or both sides. This type of crossbite affects a more significant percentage of the population and is relatively easy to correct.
Anterior crossbite – This is when one or more of your upper teeth sit behind your lower front teeth. This is unlike an underbite which occurs when all of your top teeth are behind your bottom teeth.
Causes of a Crossbite
There are various causes of a crossbite. They are typically caused by skeletal or dental issues or a combination of the two. Tooth growth delays, habits, upper airway problems, problems with bone structure, or genetics can cause it.
Specific causes of crossbites include the following:
Our teeth and bones can be pushed and twisted out of shape for various reasons. When teeth are missing or come in late, other teeth shift and drift, which causes alignment and structural issues.
How a Crossbite is Treated
The earlier the treatment, the better. A crossbite doesn’t straighten out on its own, so treating it early on, if possible during childhood, is suggested. However, a crossbite can be corrected at any age.
If your child has a crossbite, you’ll want to get them into an orthodontist as early as age 7 or 8 to begin treatment. The type of treatment used will depend on the severity and cause of the crossbite. Common crossbite treatments include:
Braces
Palatal expander
Clear aligners
Fixed palatal crib
Removable appliances
Myofunctional therapy
If you have questions about your teeth or treatment, contact The Dental Anesthesia Center. We value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis.
Call Us Today
The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
