5 Ways to Fix a Crossbite without Braces

A crossbite is more than just a dental concern; it’s something that can quietly shape your confidence, your bite comfort, and even your facial balance. Whether you’ve lived with an anterior crossbite for years or you recently noticed your back teeth don’t align correctly, you’re not alone.

Many Australians believe crossbite correction requires metal braces, long treatment times, and high orthodontic costs. But that’s no longer true. Modern, minimally invasive solutions, such as Smilepath clear aligners, now make it possible to discreetly, comfortably, and affordably correct a crossbite. Let’s explore the top 5 ways to fix a crossbite without braces in detail.

What is a Crossbite?

A crossbite is a dental misalignment where one or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Unlike a typical bite where the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth slightly, a crossbite reverses that relationship. This can occur in the front teeth (an anterior crossbite) or back teeth (posterior crossbite). It may affect one tooth, several teeth, one side of the mouth (unilateral), or both sides of the mouth (bilateral).

Understanding what a crossbite is helps you appreciate why timely correction matters. Now, let’s explore the most effective treatments that can help fix your crossbite without braces.

How to Fix a Crossbite without Braces

Let’s break down the most effective, dentist-approved methods that work today.

Clear Aligners: The Most Convenient Way to Fix a Crossbite

Clear aligners have become the most popular orthodontic method worldwide, especially for adults seeking discreet, flexible, and effective solutions. Smilepath offers an affordable, dentist-guided clear aligner treatment that can treat mild to moderate crossbites, as well as spacing, crowding, overjets, and overbites.

Smilepath Clear Aligners apply gentle, controlled pressure that gradually moves teeth into proper alignment.

Why Customers Love Smilepath Clear Aligners?

• Virtually invisible BPA-free plastic
• Removable for meals and cleaning
• No clinic visits required
• Lower cost than traditional orthodontics
• Available in All-Day and NightOnly options
• Backed by dental experts
• Digital 3D treatment preview before you start

Clear aligners can correct many types of crossbites; however, for growing children or skeletal issues, another method may be more effective. That brings us to expanders.

Palatal Expanders: Widening the Jaw without Braces

A palatal expander is used to widen the upper jaw, particularly in children and teens whose bones are still developing. It is one of the most effective nonsurgical solutions for posterior crossbite caused by a narrow upper jaw.

How Palatal Expansion Works?

The device sits in the roof of the mouth and applies outward pressure on the upper jaw. Over time, the palatal bone segments safely widen. This creates more room for the upper arch to align properly with the lower arch.

Types of Expanders

• Fixed expanders (cemented)
• Removable expanders
• Rapid palatal expanders (RPE)
• Slow palatal expanders
• Hybrid expanders (with mini-implants)

Who Is This Best For?

• Children ages 7–14
• Teens
• Adults (slower progress and often assisted with aligners)

Benefits of Palatal Expanders

• Increases airway size
• Reduces mouth breathing
• Helps prevent future orthodontic issues
• Quickly corrects posterior crossbites

While expanders are highly effective for younger patients, adults often require less invasive alternatives. That’s where restorative dentistry comes in.

Dental Restorations: Correcting Bite through Tooth Reshaping

Dental restorations, such as crowns, veneers, or composite bonding, can be used to alter the height, width, or shape of teeth so they meet correctly.

When Are Restorations Used?

Restorations are suitable when:

• The crossbite is mild
• The bite issue is due to tooth shape rather than jaw alignment
• A cosmetic improvement is also desired
• The patient prefers fast results

Types of Restorative Options

• Porcelain veneers
• Composite veneers
• Dental crowns
• Cosmetic bonding
• Enameloplasty (enamel reshaping)

Pros of Dental Restorative Procedures

• Immediate cosmetic improvement
• Long-lasting results
• Minimally invasive (except crowns)
• Useful when teeth are worn or chipped

Limitations of Dental Restorative Procedures

• Cannot correct skeletal crossbites
• May need a combination with aligner treatment
• Altered tooth structure is permanent

If your crossbite is severe and caused by jaw misalignment, repositioning your jaw may be necessary before you can move on to an orthodontic treatment for tooth alignment.

Jaw Surgery: Guiding Adult Teeth Into Proper Position

Jaw surgery used in conjunction with clear aligners can help reposition teeth in cases of severe crossbites in adults.

How Does This Work?

Since adult jaws are slightly more difficult to expand or reposition naturally, sometimes your orthodontist may choose to perform a jaw repositioning surgery before fixing you up with aligners to perfect the alignment.

Best For:

• Severe anterior cross bite
• Patients who need jaw and bite corrections
• Adults supplementing other treatments

Limitations of Jaw Surgery

• The most invasive dental procedure
• Can be expensive
• Requires a longer healing time

Retainers Used for Crossbite

Retainers are essential after any orthodontic treatment. They help you maintain the new positions of your teeth. Your orthodontist may suggest a certain type of retainer according to your case complexity. The common ones include:

• Hawley retainers
• Essix retainers

Although effective for select cases, some people prefer a holistic approach that focuses on underlying habits. That’s where myofunctional therapy comes in.

Myofunctional Therapy: Correcting Oral Habits That Cause Crossbite

Myofunctional therapy focuses on training the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and jaw to function correctly. Habits such as tongue thrusting and mouth breathing can contribute to crossbite treatment, which can help reduce the risk and improve bite alignment.

Conditions It Helps Treat

• Tongue positioning training
• Swallowing correction
• Nasal breathing exercises
• Lip seal strengthening
• Jaw alignment exercises

Best For:

• Children with developing jaws
• Adults seeking noninvasive improvement
• Patients using aligners and wanting to prevent relapse

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy

• Supports long-term bite stability
• Improves breathing patterns
• Enhances overall oral posture
• Reduces stress on teeth and jaw

Now that we’ve covered the five main methods, let’s look at why early detection of crossbite matters.

Why Fixing a Crossbite Early Matters?

A crossbite affects more than alignment; it influences oral health in the long term.

Complications of Untreated Crossbite

• Uneven enamel wear leading to sensitivity
• Tooth chipping
• Jaw discomfort and TMJ disorders
• Receding gums due to bite trauma
• Difficulty chewing
• Speech challenges
• Facial asymmetry
• Migraines triggered by jaw strain

Impact on Facial Growth

For children, a crossbite can cause the lower jaw to be sideways, resulting in asymmetry. Adults may experience muscular imbalance, resulting in chronic tension.

These insights underscore the importance of taking action sooner is always beneficial. Before you begin treatment, here is a fun and surprising fact about crossbites.

If you’re ready to correct your crossbite, here is the exact process to begin your Smilepath journey.

Final Takeaways: Fixing Your Crossbite Is Easier than You Think

A crossbite may feel overwhelming, but you are not stuck with it. Whether you choose clear aligners, expanders, restorations, surgery, or myofunctional therapy, modern dentistry offers multiple ways to correct the issue without braces.

Smilepath Clear Aligners provides an affordable, accessible, and discreet option for adults and teens seeking effective crossbite correction. With customized treatment planning, flexible aligner options, and support throughout your journey, transforming your bite and smile has never been easier. You deserve a comfortable, confident, healthy smile, and now, you have everything you need to take the first step.