A crossbite is one of those dental issues that often goes unnoticed for years, yet once it’s pointed out, patients want to know whether Invisalign can actually fix it, and what the process looks like.
What Is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is a type of malocclusion, which simply means the upper and lower teeth don’t meet correctly. In a typical bite, the upper teeth sit slightly outside the lower teeth when you close your mouth. In a crossbite, one or more of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead, either at the front, the back, or both. As the Wikipedia overview of crossbite explains, it’s a lateral misalignment of the dental arches that can affect individual teeth or entire sections of the bite.
There are two main types. An anterior crossbite involves the front teeth, where upper incisors sit behind their lower counterparts. A posterior crossbite involves the back teeth, and in some cases can cause the jaw to shift sideways when biting, which is known as a functional shift. That shift is something we take seriously at assessment because it can cause jaw joint problems and uneven wear if left untreated for a long time.
Can Invisalign Treat a Crossbite?
Yes, in many cases. But the answer isn’t a flat yes for every type of crossbite, which is why a proper clinical assessment matters.
Invisalign works well for dental crossbites, where the issue is the position of individual teeth. By moving specific teeth into a better alignment, the crossbite can be corrected. In our experience, anterior crossbites and mild to moderate posterior crossbites involving one or two teeth are often well within what Invisalign can achieve.
Skeletal crossbites are a different situation. These occur when the underlying bone structure of the upper or lower jaw is contributing to the misalignment, rather than just the teeth themselves. Invisalign moves teeth; it can’t change jaw bone. For significant skeletal involvement, especially in adults, orthodontic treatment may need to be combined with other approaches, or may not be a full solution on its own.
Worth knowing: the distinction between a dental and skeletal crossbite isn’t always obvious to the patient. It requires clinical assessment, often including X-rays, to determine what’s actually causing the problem.
The Assessment Process for Crossbite
| Type of Crossbite | Likely Cause | Can Invisalign Help? |
|---|---|---|
| Anterior (front teeth) | Dental position | Often yes, depending on severity |
| Posterior (back teeth), mild | Dental position, possibly functional shift | Usually yes |
| Posterior, with functional shift | Dental position causing jaw displacement | Yes in many cases; early treatment preferred |
| Skeletal crossbite, mild | Jaw bone structure | Partially; may camouflage rather than correct |
| Skeletal crossbite, significant | Jaw bone structure | Likely not sufficient alone; may need combined treatment |
What Invisalign Treatment for Crossbite Looks Like
If Invisalign is the appropriate choice for your crossbite, the treatment process is much the same as for other alignment cases. A series of custom-made clear aligners are fabricated based on a digital scan of your teeth, and you progress through them in sequence, each aligner moving your teeth incrementally closer to the target position.
For crossbite cases, small tooth-coloured attachments are often used. These are tiny dots of composite resin bonded to specific teeth that give the aligners extra grip and help produce movements that wouldn’t otherwise be possible with a smooth aligner surface alone. They’re discreet, but they’re worth knowing about in advance so you’re not surprised when we mention them.
Treatment timelines for crossbite correction vary considerably. Simple cases may take somewhere between six and twelve months. More complex ones, with movement needed across multiple teeth or significant functional shift, can run to eighteen months or beyond. In our experience, setting realistic expectations from the start makes a significant difference to how patients feel throughout treatment.
Crossbite in Adults Versus Children
Crossbites in children are sometimes treated very early, partly because the palatal suture hasn’t fused yet, making certain types of expansion easier. The NHS orthodontics overview notes that treatment timing depends on the nature of the issue and the patient’s stage of dental development.
For adults, the suture has fused, which rules out certain expansion techniques. But Invisalign remains a realistic option for many adult crossbite cases, particularly where the cause is primarily dental rather than skeletal. We treat adult crossbite patients with Invisalign regularly, and the results can be very meaningful in terms of both function and appearance.
Actually, that’s worth clarifying. Some adults assume that crossbite can’t be treated without surgery once you’re past a certain age. That’s not right. Many adult crossbites are entirely treatable with aligners alone. The ones that aren’t tend to involve substantial skeletal discrepancies, which a proper assessment will identify clearly.
Is Invisalign the Right Choice for Your Crossbite?
Honestly, there’s no way to answer that without seeing your teeth. The type, severity, and cause of the crossbite all matter, as does your overall oral health, bite stability, and what result you’re hoping for. Some crossbites are ideal cases for Invisalign. Others need a different approach, or a combination of approaches.
If you’ve been wondering whether Invisalign could address your crossbite, the right first step is a proper assessment. Get in touch with Westcliff Dental Practice and call us on 01702 344 500 to arrange a consultation. We’ll give you a clear picture of your options.
