Typically, when a parent brings a young child to the dentist, the last discussion theyre expecting to have is one centered on braces and orthodontic appliances. Yet, even at ages three and four, a talk about braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers can indeed be front and center when a child is diagnosed with a crossbite. The question then is what to do about it, how soon should intervention take place, and what the complications are that can arise if nothing is done at all. Lets get some answers.
Imagine for a moment, youre sitting in front of a nice soup bowl with a wide flat brim, and inside that bowl is hearty chowder youd like to keep warm until youre ready to devour it. So, you grab another bowl designed exactly like the first, and hover it upside-down over the bowl containing the soup. As you slowly lower it, you try to line up the brims so when they rest together they form a nice even seal. Unfortunately, given the soup is hot, you dont quite get the brims to line up perfectly, and the edge of the top bowl ends up resting just slightly to the left of the lip on the bottom bowl. The way these two bowls now rest unevenly atop one another is exactly what you would see in a person with a crossbite.
A crossbite can affect several teeth, or a single tooth, and can occur on either one side of the mouth or both. Simply put, if any one tooth, or several teeth, lay nearer the tongue or cheek instead of coming together evenly, youre likely dealing with a crossbite.
The dental community is split on when to initiate treatment for a crossbite, with some suggesting treatment should begin as soon as it is noticed (sometimes as early as age three), while others suggest parents should wait until a childs sixth year molars have arrived. Despite the difference of opinion as to when treatment should begin, dentists and orthodontist are in agreement that the condition cannot be left untreated. Doing so presents a host of complications for the child later in life including gum and tooth wear, uneven jaw development that can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder, and facial asymmetry something no parent or child wants.
Crossbite treatment generally involves adjusting the spread of a childs teeth with dental appliances so the bite pattern matches evenly on all sides. Depending on the type of crossbite a child has, this can be done with dental expanders which resemble orthodontic retainers, and include a screw that is tightened nightly so as to spread a childs bite to the prescribed width. Additionally, dental facemasks, braces and clear aligners may be used particularly when single teeth are out of alignment.
Crossbites are generally regarded as genetic in nature, so theyre not overly common. It is, however, a condition that needs to be treated before permanent damage to a childs facial and oral development occurs, so if you find yourself at the other end of a discussion about having your little one wear a dental expander, be sure you listen and get however many opinions regarding that advice as you require. Your child, and your wallet will thank you long into the future.
Reviews
Rating 3.4 out of 5 based on 86 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestMomma Bear
a year ago
I went in for an X-ray and exam. The assistant was amazing she was so so nice!! She made me feel comfortable when she knew how scared I was and how much pain I was in. The dentist was also very very caring and made sure I was super numb and got 2 of my teeth out in less than 5 minutes. Thanks so much for caring about your patients!! I will be coming back.
Becky Reed
2 years ago
To give this dentist one star is too much! A simple medication clarification that could have been solved with a 30 second call, was instead turned into a refusal to pull a tooth and having to return for another appointment. The dentist was extremely rude, and seemed as if he couldn't be bothered to "go out of his way" for 30 seconds. And Bay City Dental, when you see this comment, do not send me a patent response to contact your office to help resolve the problem. It's too late, I took my husband elsewhere
Zach Johnroe
2 years ago
I can only gave them one star...truth is they don't even deserve a half a star, I get sent to a referral way out of town, I get to were I need to be. Just to be told the doctor I needed to see is retired. Then tell me its my job to find a place to get the two I need pulled the most, not there's. Place is a joke, and the dentist is a quack!
Dakota Coones
2 years ago
Been going here since i was a child. Always had some sort of issue and never felt happy with their service. Often had to go back to have any work i had done, fixed. Consistently is trying to call and get me to come in earlier but when i come in early for my appointment im sitting there waiting for almost 20 minutes. I understand things take time, but this wasn't my first issue with them, and I've just had enough with the many problems ive had. Going to find a new dentist and dont see myself ever telling anyone to go here. The receptionists are usually very nice, but with poor management there's nothing they can do to fix this place.
ssunki
2 years ago
Went in for teeth extractions. Left tooth still in my jaw. Still not healing. When leaving says to call back in a month for another appointment. My friend went in the same day and walked out with 2 more appointments. That appointment was after mine. Can't even get my teeth cleaned. Takes my insurance tho.
Deborah Bloodsaw
2 years ago
I had to get all my teeth pulled back in February, not really something I wanted to do by all means but it came to it and I really didn't want to go to this dentist office because years ago I had a bad experience but when push came to shove I went to this dentist...they are all wonderful here they treat you kind and don't make you feel humiliated like another dentist I went to,I had to get dentures and I told them I wanted them to fit after it's all said and done, well they did an awesome job thank you to all of you
Nick Garcia
2 years ago
Would be zero if I could I took my step daughter to get her teeth looked at they asked her who I was and that they couldn't give me information on what was wrong but her step mom who wasn't married to her dad yet took her and was told everything.... I wasn't told anything because I'm a Mexican taken care of his white step daughter shame on me I guess
bunny lover
2 years ago
I will NEVER go back. They put in crowns for me that do NOT match my teeth and stick out because of the discoloring of them. The staff went from me to other patients going back and forth so it took forever to get anything done in my mouth. And one of my crowns was filed flat on top, so it is a worthless tooth now. AND I had to pay for my crowns! AND then one came off (I got 2). Never will I go back. But what do we expect with a Medicaid dentist? That's always the question that is put to me when I express my disatisfication with this office. I deserve proper dental treatment, same as anywhere else, and when I am paying my own bill!!
A Gonzales
2 years ago
Don't go here. Find a more professional place to go to. They've lost my information twice and every time I've called back or went up there to reschedule my appointment, the receptionist Amanda has had the worst attitude. You can tell she doesn't enjoy working there and takes it out on the patients. If you want a friendly place this is not the place to go. She's a reflection on how this establishment treats their employees, which seems terrible. Gabby on the other hand is great and I hope she finds a nicer office to work in. She knows how to maintain professionalism.
Ruth Russell
2 years ago
I went to this dentist during the pandemic and I had an appointment for a cleaning. They weren't allowing patient to come in and wait, you had to wait out in your vehicle. I had an appointment for a cleaning and I waited in my vehicle, they didn't call me in so I called them and they said it was going to be longer so I cancelled my cleaning. I waited 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment. I couldn't get in to have a tooth looked at so I went to another dentist. Now they won't see me at all since I went to another dentist. How sad of them. I will NOT recommend this dentist to anyone!!!
Steven Seagal
2 years ago
Best Dentist office I have ever been to. Staff are very helpful and really care. Dr kais is a very friendly guy and I always leave satisfied.
Denise Dansereau
2 years ago
We have had positive experiences here. They are so good with children, granddaughter lost filling and they saw her the same day. Very happy with Dentist and staff!!
DrkMan 4Sho
2 years ago
My exam went flawless and Ruth was the best would recommend her to anyone wanting a friendly face and smile your awesome Ruth
Deann Clark
2 years ago
If you ever have a emergency find somewhere else to go.. the lady told me to call my doctor to get antibiotics. Just can't believe this.. I remember when I was a kid a dentist came into office on a Saturday just to see me cuz of emergency. Be careful if you go here..
Renee Nowak
2 years ago
Had a flat tire today and all I wanted to do was reschedule my child for later but because she had already had missed appointments they wouldn't let me reschedule today and said well this is her 3rd missed appointment because I didn't give them 24hrs notice how was I supposed to know I would have a flat tire. Oh and if you have missed appointments that are 4-6yrs old they still hold that against you. They have always worked with me never have I been told no to rescheduling or even pushing the appointment back later in the day.
michelle tietz
2 years ago
My boyfriend went in a week ago for a tooth abscess and got it pulled. Quickest in and out ever. I went in just recently for nearly the same thing. I had an abscess in my wisdom tooth and they pulled it for me. In both cases, we called and explained our situation and they were able to get us in ASAP. They also checked our insurances to make sure it was covered prior to confirming the appointment. In my case, I was absolutely terrified and full of anxiety. The assistant and dentist were the NICEST people. They helped me get through it with minimal pain. And they helped ease my anxiety (I was very over dramatic due to past experiences at other dental offices). I would recommend coming here, as I will again. Great staff, thank you!
Jennifer Bogel
2 years ago
Thie place is amazing everyone is so so nice!! They took me in and I paid nothing!! They go by your income. 8-330 is walk in emergency for anyone who needs help. New or old patience I highly recommend this place!!!
Nana K
2 years ago
Best dentists and nice employees!!
Keri Ott
2 years ago
I had an abscessed tooth and was in a lot of pain. The office got me in quickly, were very friendly and professional! I'd recommend this office hands down to anybody looking for efficient, friendly, and quick help!!
Kristah Gonzalez
2 years ago
The assistants were all very sweet and amazing with my son, however the dentist himself was unprofessional and disrespectful. I was told by the staff to sit in a very specific chair and wait while my son was getting x-rays done. The dentist came barging by me and smacked me with a half door where you can clearly see over it and then had the nerve to say "oh well I guess you shouldn't be sitting there." Just WOW!!! I've been coming here for years and meber once had a bad experience but now I'm extremely disgusted!!
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