Many people who have crossbites ask themselves the question: “can I get veneers if I have crossbite?” Veneers are one of the cosmetic dentistry services that have the potential to change the appearance of your teeth completely. That is why it is one of the most popular procedures that are requested and performed in dental clinics for aesthetic concerns. But it’s important to remind veneers are an aesthetic treatment, not a corrective one. So, what happens if you have a crossbite and you want veneers?
In this article, you will find out what crossbite is and how veneers can affect it.
What is a crossbite?
A crossbite is a type of malocclusion that happens when the upper and lower teeth do not align properly. It means, when the mouth is closed, the upper teeth either are on top or inside the bottom teeth. This can affect either a single tooth or several teeth.
There are different types of crossbite such as:
- Posterior crossbite: If the back teeth are in crossbite- the upper teeth are located inside of the bottom teeth.
- Anterior crossbite: If the front teeth are in a crossbite, one or more top teeth sit behind the bottom teeth.
- Underbite: it is a different malocclusion that occurs if all the top teeth sit behind the bottom teeth.
(source Wikipedia)
What causes crossbite?
Several factors are affecting the formation of a crossbite. These include:
- Genetics
- Eruption of permanent teeth
- Loss of baby teeth at a later stage
- Personal actions (thumb sucking, abnormal swallowing, etc.)
Crossbite should be corrected at a young age to avoid more serious problems from occurring later in life. If crossbite is not treated, the jaw might grow in an asymmetrical way or shift to one side and the teeth might start to lose their outer layer called enamel causing tooth decay, gum disease, and cause soreness on jaw muscles that can lead to head, neck, shoulder and back pain.
Besides dental problems, a crossbite can also cause mental and emotional distress in many people and affect their self-esteem for the worse.
So, can I get veneers if I have crossbite?
As every case is different, you should consult with your dentist about your specific situation. However, there are a few possibilities when it comes to crossbites. In some minor crossbite cases, veneers could be put in without any problems.
For example, if you have mild crossbite where the bite is stable you can keep your teeth as they are with no problems. If you want to keep the crossbite and just wish to get veneers for improving discoloration or a chipped tooth, you should be able to get veneers without trouble. In these cases, the incisal edge of the tooth is not moved any longer, shorter, or horizontally, it remains in the same place. In this way, it will not affect the crossbite.
How can I fix my crossbite?
Crossbites should be treated to make sure you have a healthy bite. Untreated crossbite can result in several dental issues including:
- Jaw growth problems occur in teens and kids
- Anterior crossbites (crossbites in the front teeth) can cause teeth to chip and gum problems to form
- The narrow jaw can cause breathing and bite issues
Therefore it is important to fix a dental condition like crossbite not just for cosmetic concerns but to keep your overall metabolism healthy as result.
The crossbite treatments that allow you to fix crossbite might require you to wear orthodontic devices. These might include:
- Braces: Many people are familiar with braces, either from their own experience or someone they have encountered. That is because it’s an effective and affordable treatment for fixing teeth and jaw alignment issues like crossbite.
- Invisalign: Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that is designed just for you and made from clear aligners to meet your needs. It is aesthetically preferred over braces by many patients.
- Expanders: Expanders, also called enlargers, are used to correct the spread of the teeth to make the bite even around the upper and lower jaw. It is used for moderate to advanced cases of malocclusions.
- Jaw surgery: Jaw surgery is recommended for the most severe cases. It realigns the upper and bottom jaw, and the teeth in order to fix the misalignment from crossbite.
Can veneers fix my crossbite?
However, sometimes patients wonder if veneers can be used to correct a crossbite. While they might be capable of improving the appearance of it, veneers can not fix or correct crossbite. To be able to fix a crossbite, you will need to get other dental treatments.
Can I get veneers after I fix my crossbite?
In some cases, for best results, crossbite needs to be fixed first to get veneers. Your dentist might suggest one of the methods above such as using Invisalign for a period of time. Once the crossbite is fixed, and the reshaping of the teeth is done, then with the corrected crossbite, the veneers could be put in.
This will not cause any problems for you and improve the quality of your dental health and aesthetics overall. By fixing your crossbite, you will get the best wear out of your dental veneers.
Conclusion
To summarize, when you ask yourself ‘can I get veneers if I have crossbite?’ keep in mind that crossbites do not always interfere in getting veneers. Although as in all medical procedures, your specific case should be consulted with your dentist for the most accurate treatment plan. In some cases, depending on what you want from your veneer procedure, you will need to get treated for your crossbite and fix the misalignment on your teeth to be able to get veneers.