What Is Crossbite And How Can You Treat It?

Crossbite, also known as malocclusion, refers to an abnormal condition in which the teeth do not properly align with each other in the jaw. This often leads to pain and misalignment of the jaws themselves that, over time, can lead to more serious health problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, it's possible to treat crossbite with several methods that reduce the discomfort and dental damage caused by this condition. Here's what you need to know about crossbite and how to treat it before it becomes more serious and problematic.

What Is Crossbite?

Crossbite is a condition where the top teeth are pushed inward, and the lower teeth are pushed outward. An improper bite creates a misalignment between the upper jaw, lower jaw, and teeth. The symptoms depend on the severity of the crossbite. Mild cases may only cause pain or discomfort when eating, while severe cases can affect breathing, speech, dental health, facial growth patterns, or sleep quality.

What Are The Symptoms Of Crossbite?

Sometimes called tooth-jutting, an overlapping of the upper teeth characterises crossbite. The condition may be present at birth or develop due to habits such as thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrusting. Symptoms include an overgrown lower jaw, difficulty chewing certain foods such as apples, drooling, ear infections, and an increased risk for speech problems.

What are the Common causes of crossbites?

To understand crossbites, it's important to know that a misalignment of the jaw causes them. Often, this is due to improper or late tooth eruption, prolonged thumb sucking, or sleeping with your mouth open. If you're experiencing a crossbite on one side of your mouth but not the other, then it's likely that there is an issue with how your teeth are growing. This is known as an asymmetrical crossbite. Asymmetrical crossbites usually need to be treated much sooner than bilateral ones because they will only worsen over time. If you suspect a crossbite, please visit the orthodontist in Blacktown.

How Cross Bite Is Treated?

Crossbites can be corrected by surgery, but this is only an option if the child is young enough. If your child's crossbite is severe enough to warrant surgery, they will first have a consultation with a surgeon to see if they are a candidate. The type of procedure performed will depend on the severity of the crossbite. For example, if your child has just a small overlap between their upper and lower teeth, braces might be all that's needed to correct it.

Which Treatment Is The Best Option For Treating Crossbite?

Crossbites can be treated with various treatments, including braces, surgery, or both. While there are different options for crosscut treatment, each option has its pros and cons. Braces are the most cost-effective option when it comes to treatment. However, they require consistency to work effectively. Additionally, braces usually must be worn for at least a year to be effective. However, your Blacktown dentist is the right person to determine which treatment is the best option.

When to See Your Blacktown Dentist?

It is important to see your dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of a crossbite. The earlier you catch the problem, the better it will be for your oral health. Left untreated, this condition can lead to severe consequences like tooth loss, jaw pain, headaches and difficulty chewing food. Using Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown, our dentist can suggest the best treatment option to correct your bite problems.

Root Canal Procedure: Everything You Need To Know

Root canal procedures are highly effective treatments for infected and damaged dental roots. Still, many people are unaware that this procedure doesn't necessarily involve removing the affected tooth. This blog will cover everything you need to know about root canal procedures, from what happens during the procedure to how you can prepare beforehand to help your chances of successful treatment.

What Is A Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that treats the diseased pulp of a tooth that cannot be saved with a filling. Many reasons can cause the tooth's pulp to become infected, including decay between the teeth, periodontal disease, or a cracked tooth. The Blacktown dentist will use anaesthetic and local anaesthesia for the root canal procedure. Once the procedure is complete, your dentist will cover the opening of your tooth with either gutta-percha or composite filling material.

What are the Symptoms of a Decayed Tooth?

The symptoms of a decayed tooth can vary from patient to patient, but one of the more common signs are severe tooth pain that becomes persistent. It may also be accompanied by an unpleasant taste in the mouth and bad breath. Other symptoms include gum inflammation, pus near the tooth or at the base of your gums, and swelling in your jawbone. If you think you have any of these symptoms or if they persist for two weeks, make an appointment with your orthodontist in Blacktown.

Why Would I Need a Root Canal?

A root canal can save teeth from severe decay. Root canal treatment is necessary when there is significant damage to the inside of a tooth. Severe pain, infections, and sensitive teeth are all signs that a root canal may be necessary. However, your Blacktown dentist is the right person to determine whether you need a root canal procedure or not.

What Happens During the Procedure?

With Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown, the dentist numbs the area, inserts a small mirror into the tooth, and locates the nerve. He or she removes all of the infected tissue around the nerve. The dentist will then clean out any remaining bacteria and seal up the cavity with a filling. Most root canal procedures require just one visit, although they may be more complicated in some cases and require an extra visit or two. Once the surgical site is healed, a crown is placed to protect the remaining structure of the infected tooth and other surrounding dental structure.

Can I Continue on My Normal Schedule with a Root Canal?

In most cases, your normal schedule can continue on the same day. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activity and resume normal activities gradually. Restrictions vary depending on the size of the tooth, health of the surrounding gum tissue, and a dentist's judgment.

Is a Dental Crown Necessary?

After the endodontic treatment has been completed, it's common for a dental crown to be placed over the tooth in order to hold it in place. This is one way that it can help prevent any future damage from occurring and make sure your tooth stays in a good state of health for as long as possible.

Should you have further queries on root canal procedure, please speak to your dentist. Our dentist can help you find the right treatment plan based on the severity of the dental decay.