When it comes to orthodontic treatment for children, timing is an extremely important aspect. Since the bones of the mouth will still be developing and the permanent teeth are still erupting at this point, choosing the right time to correct a bite problem, such as a cross bite, can make all the difference in the success of the treatment. Treating a Crossbite A crossbite, which is sometimes referred to as a reverse bite, is a condition that affects many children, and treatment is recommended as early as possible. The most common type of crossbite will occur when the upper teeth are sitting behind the lower teeth. When this occurs with the front teeth, it can cause wear of the teeth, even as early as age seven. In addition to tooth wear, these teeth will have a greater risk of being damaged in the event of an accident or fall. A crossbite can be corrected with a variety of orthodontic appliances. Braces can be used to correct the crossbite, and in other situations, a device like a palatal expander can be placed on the upper jaw to help spread the jaw to make more room for the teeth and eliminate the bite issues. While these treatment options might sound painful, they really aren’t, as they simply place force onto the teeth in order to move them outward. Can Adults Have Crossbite Treatment? If you are an adult and are looking for treatment for your crossbite, your options will be more limited. The palatal suture won’t be as easily opened, so an expander is likely not going to be an option. If the alignment of your teeth is the only problem, braces may be used, but in some cases, a specialist may need to perform surgery to release the suture so that expansion can occur.