• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Kirkland Family Dentistry | Kirkland Dental

Kirkland Family Dentistry | Kirkland Dental

Kirkland Dentists 98034 | Kirkland Dental

13531 Juanita Woodinville Way NE Kirkland, WA 98034
 
(425) 822-0435
Call Text
Book Your Appointment Today
MENU
  • About
    • Meet Dr. Acosta
    • Meet Dr. Choi
    • Meet Dr. Greene
    • Meet Dr. Suh
    • Why Kirkland Family Dentistry?
      • Spanish Speaking Dentist
      • Korean Speaking Dentist
      • Best Dentist in 2020
      • Best Dentist in 2018
      • Best Dentist in 2017
      • Best Dentist in 2016
      • Best Dentist in 2015
    • Privacy Practices
  • Technology
  • New Patients
  • Reviews
  • Contact
Home › General Dentistry › What is a crossbite? Signs, effects and treatment

What is a crossbite? Signs, effects and treatment

by Dr. Benjamin Greene in General Dentistry

A crossbite is basically a misalignment of a tooth or teeth where one or more teeth are positioned irregularly; they’re closer to the cheek or tongue, rather than their ideal position.

Crossbite can prevent jaws from closing properly, making it difficult to eat and speak. The situation can even have psychological effects and may cause you to lose your confidence.

Getting treated for this condition is vital because if you don’t, it can lead to the improper growth of the jaw, eventually resulting in one side of the jaw growing larger. This improper growth affects your entire facial structure.

What is a crossbite? Signs, effects and treatment

If not treated, crossbites not only impact the aesthetics and affect your smile but also lead to dangerous dental complexities.

Let’s find out more about this condition:

Signs Related To Crossbite

  • The two rows of teeth don’t touch each other
  • Not being able to speak properly and having a lisp
  • Biting on the inner cheek and tongue more often while speaking or eating
  • Pain in the jaw
  • Pain in one or several teeth
  • Severe headaches

If you have one or several of these symptoms, make sure to visit us at Kirkland Family Dentistry for an examination.

Effects Of Crossbite

Crossbite doesn’t only disorientate your smile and lip region but can cause other problems, too. These include:

  • Severe Headaches: Crossbites are closely linked to headaches, not only in adults but children as well. Teeth are not only used for chewing but to support your facial muscles as well. When your jaws aren’t properly aligned, it puts a strain on the jaw muscles and joints, which are linked with nerves that go to the brain. This causes headaches. Moreover, these nerves also run down our neck and shoulders and may cause severe pain in those regions.
  • Tooth Decay: It’s difficult to brush misaligned teeth due to their shape and position. Not being able to brush and floss properly can lead to tooth decay, as it’s easy for bacteria to hit a tooth that isn’t cleaned.
  • Painful Bites: Crossbite snatches the luxury of biting on hard things, making it difficult to even enjoy your favorite fruits at times. It generates unbearable pain; therefore, it’s important that you consider treatment before it gets any worse.

Treatment Options For Crossbites

Visiting a dentist in Kirkland WA should be your priority when you suffer from a crossbite. Crossbites can occur in children, teenagers, and adults too. There are a few reliable and effective treatment options that can treat your crossbite. These include:

  • Tooth Extraction: If there’s only a single tooth that’s misaligned due to overcrowding then tooth extraction can be done. It’s a painful process that can be made simpler with the use of anesthesia and costs only around $200.
  • Braces: Braces like Quad Helix Expander and Rapid Maxillary Expander can be used to correct this condition. While braces tend to work slowly, they have proven beneficial and cost around $3000 to $8000. You’ll want to ask your dentist if Invisalign or Candid Clear aligners would work for you or your child.

Conclusion

Crossbites should never be ignored and must be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the jaws and other teeth.

You May Also Be Interested In...
Is One Floss Better Than Another?
Don’t Be Scared: the 411 on Commonly Used Tools Used in Our Office
Common Myths About Teeth

About Dr. Benjamin Greene

Dr. Greene has been providing high-quality dental care to Kirkland residents for over 25 years. The Kirkland area is Dr. Greene’s home. He grew up in Bellevue and graduated from the University of Washington before attending dental school in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his D.D.S. at Case Western Reserve University and then returned to practice dentistry in Kirkland, where he has become part of the community.

Footer

Contact Information

Kirkland Family Dentistry
13531 Juanita Woodinville Way NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
 
(425) 822-0435 ( Call  or   Text)
Spanish Speaking Dentist
Korean Speaking Dentist

Hours of Operation

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 2pm

*Pre-booked Appointments are recommended at a $100 deposit. Refundable upon arrival for your pre-booked appointment.
*Walk-ins Accepted (No Guarantee of Service)

Follow Us

Quick Links

About Us
Emergency Dental Care
Technology
New Patients
Services
Insurance
Contact

*Pre-booked Appointments are recommended at a $100 deposit. Refundable upon arrival for your pre-booked appointment.
*Walk-ins Accepted (No Guarantee of Service)

© 2025 Kirkland Family Dentistry | Family Dentistry in Kirkland, WA. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap | Privacy Policy

Text for Same-Day Appointments

Emergency? Same-day appointments! Make An Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Dr. Acosta
    • Meet Dr. Choi
    • Meet Dr. Greene
    • Meet Dr. Suh
    • Why Kirkland Family Dentistry?
      • Spanish Speaking Dentist
      • Korean Speaking Dentist
      • Best Dentist in 2020
      • Best Dentist in 2018
      • Best Dentist in 2017
      • Best Dentist in 2016
      • Best Dentist in 2015
  • Technology
  • New Patients
  • Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
      • Esthetic Veneers
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Crowns and Bridges
      • Fillings
    • Children’s Dentistry
    • Candid (clear braces)
    • Urgent Dental Care
  • Insurance
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact

As Kirkland’s #1 rated dentist, we try to respond within the hour.

Existing patients should call or text the office directly with any questions or concerns. We do not accept schedule changes through this form. Please call or text us if you need to make a change to your appointment or have a billing question at 425-822-0435.

 

Homepage Pop Up Contact Form

APPOINTMENT PREFERENCES