Cross bite is an abnormal phenomenon in dentistry. This type of dental disease manifests itself as a displacement of the lower jaw relative to the upper. This defect has an unaesthetic appearance and causes a lot of inconvenience. To date, many such cases have been recorded. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes of the manifestation of the disease and how to eliminate it.
Why is it dangerous?
This disease has negative consequences for several reasons. The upper and lower jaws of a person suffering from such an anomaly intersect. Because of this, tooth enamel deteriorates and is erased. This worsens the general condition of the teeth. There is a risk of developing caries and the formation of tartar .
In addition, dentists have found that crossbite provokes an asymmetrical structure of the bones of the face and temporomandibular joints. This fact greatly affects the appearance of an adult, can cause the development of serious complexes.
From the anatomical side, malocclusion is no less unpleasant. Depending on the severity of the course of the disease, the presence of such a deformation can affect the formation of the child's speech, become an obstacle to the normal chewing of food. Often, dentists observe situations when a crossbite disrupts the respiratory function, without which normal life in general is impossible.
It is important to remember that correcting a crossbite takes a lot of time and is a very laborious process. Therefore, at the first suspicion of any deviations in the field of dentistry, it is advisable to immediately seek qualified advice. If a defect is discovered even during the first medical examination of the child, then it is better not to postpone the matter indefinitely and start treatment immediately.
Types of crossbite
Depending on in which part of the jaws there is a deviation in the structure, the disease has received several different classifications. So, the following can be distinguished:
- buccal;
- Lingual;
- Buccal-lingual.
Orthodontics includes various ways of diagnosing and treating each of these types of deformities.
Buccal bite
It is easy to define it. In the presence of this type of violation of the structure of the jaw, physicians can observe changes in swallowing and chewing functions. This greatly complicates the normal intake of food, which significantly affects the organization of life, interferes with the normal functioning of vital organs. A buccal bite can be observed with a displacement of the jaw, but more often such a symptom is not observed with this type of course of the disease.
Lingual bite
Such an anomaly is fixed if the dentist notes a narrowing or expansion of the dentition in the upper jaw. This disease can affect both one side, and both at once. Often in patients with this diagnosis, closure of the posterior teeth is found.
Buccal-lingual bite
This is perhaps the most common and difficult to treat case. People with this diagnosis have the most striking symptoms of the disease. Visually, even a person with no medical education can determine this. The lower jaw, as a rule, with this type of crossbite is displaced to the right or left.
Causes of the disease
Doctors identify several reasons why malocclusion develops. For today it is:
- mechanical damage to the jaw bones;
- congenital anomaly;
- violation of respiratory function;
- bruxism;
- the presence of bad habits;
- wrong position during sleep.
Depending on the cause of the disease, predictions are made for the success of treatment. Scientists have proven that the problem must be dealt with, because the consequences of the lack of the necessary therapy can be the most difficult. This:
- violation of the function of digestion;
- dental diseases, such as caries and damage to tooth enamel;
- diseases of ENT organs;
- the development of mental disorders, which often accompanies complexes;
- labored breathing.
Observations of physicians prove that people suffering from crossbite, more often than others, experience headaches and become hostages of hypertensive crises.
How to correctly diagnose an anomaly?
Diagnosis directly depends on the form of the course of the disease. The most basic symptoms that will help even people who are not the most experienced in medicine to establish a similar diagnosis are:
- facial asymmetry;
- stiffness of the movement of one of the jaws;
- too wide opening of the mouth;
- displacement of the jaw diagonally or vertically;
- chewing dysfunction, cheek bite;
- distorted speech.
The most reliable source of obtaining information about the presence of such a disease as crossbite is still an X-ray examination. In particular, a picture of the temporomandibular joints.
Treatment of anomalies in the structure of the jaw
Modern methods of treatment can effectively deal with such diseases of orthodontics. A suitable method is chosen by dental surgeons based on several factors. Be sure to take into account the age of the intended patient, the severity of the course of the disease and the type of pathology. It is possible to start therapy at any age, the earlier the patient turns to specialists, the more positive the prognosis he will receive.
Sometimes, to achieve the desired result, it is enough just to get rid of bad habits, but more often you cannot do without more drastic measures. An obligatory part of successful treatment is the sanitation of the oral cavity and proper dental care.
In most cases, it is difficult to do without the use of equipment or surgery. Such cardinal measures will help the patient to cope with the problem of orthodontics in the shortest possible time, and the prognosis of physicians with such therapy is the most positive. Surgery is recommended for people with congenital developmental pathologies or those who have been the victim of a mechanical injury to the jaw bones.
Timely seeking help will allow the patient to return to normal life, get rid of complexes and become the owner of a beautiful smile. Modern medicine is able to cope with the most difficult cases of crossbite in adults and children.
