Crossbite in Children: Signs, Causes, and Why Early Treatment Helps

Many parents are surprised to learn that bite issues often show up early — sometimes even before all adult teeth come in. One of the most common issues we see in children is a crossbite. Left untreated, a crossbite can affect jaw growth, tooth wear, and long-term oral health.

Here’s what you should know about crossbites in children and when to consider early orthodontic treatment.

What Is a Crossbite?

A crossbite happens when one or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside. This can occur in the front (anterior crossbite) or back (posterior crossbite), and it may affect one side or both.

Crossbites can cause:

• Asymmetric jaw growth
• Difficulty chewing
• Tooth wear or chipping
• Gum recession
• Facial asymmetry
• Shifting or clicking jaw

Early detection is key.

Common Signs Your Child May Have a Crossbite

You might notice:

• Your child shifts their jaw to one side when biting down
• The upper jaw looks narrow
• Their smile looks “off-center”
• One side of the bite touches before the other
• The front teeth overlap in the wrong direction

Crossbites can be subtle — which is why early orthodontic evaluations are so important.

What Causes a Crossbite?

A few factors commonly contribute:

• Genetics
• Narrow upper jaw
• Habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use
• Early loss of baby teeth
• Crowding

Most crossbites will NOT correct themselves without orthodontic intervention.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Correcting a crossbite early (usually between ages 7–10) can:

• Guide healthy jaw development
• Prevent facial asymmetry
• Reduce the risk of uneven tooth wear
• Improve chewing and speech
• Make future orthodontic treatment easier

In some cases, treating a crossbite early avoids the need for more intensive treatment later, including jaw surgery.

Treatment Options for Crossbites in Children

At Connolly Orthodontics, treatment depends on your child’s age and the severity of their bite.

Common options include:

✔ Palatal expander
Gently widens the upper jaw as a child grows.

✔ Braces
Moves individual teeth into proper alignment.

✔ Invisalign First or Invisalign Teen
Clear aligners can correct certain crossbites comfortably and discreetly.

✔ Elastics (rubber bands)
Help guide upper and lower teeth into a proper bite.

Early Evaluations Make a Big Difference

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic checkup by age 7. This doesn’t mean they’ll need treatment right away — but it allows us to catch growth issues early and monitor them over time.

If your child shows signs of a crossbite, we’d love to meet with you and create a plan that supports healthy growth.

Schedule a free consultation with Connolly Orthodontics — we’re here to guide you every step of the way.