Crossbite Treatment on Maui

A crossbite is worth catching early, and it is very treatable. At Maui Braces, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Alex Verga treats crossbites with expansion and braces at our Kahului, Makawao, and Lahaina offices. Call or text (808) 874-9229 for a free consultation.

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What Is a Crossbite?

A crossbite is when some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them, where they should be. It can be dental (a few teeth out of position) or skeletal (a narrow upper jaw), and it can affect one side (unilateral) or both (bilateral). It often comes from a narrow upper jaw, and it can make the lower jaw shift to one side to find a comfortable bite.

Why Treat a Crossbite?

Left alone, a crossbite can wear teeth unevenly and cause the gums to recede. The bigger concern in children is the functional shift: when the lower jaw slides sideways to bite comfortably, that shift can influence how the jaw grows over time, even leading to asymmetry. A narrow upper jaw also leaves less room for the adult teeth to erupt, so a crossbite often travels with crowding.

A narrow palate can also crowd the tongue and affect where it rests. Some children with a narrow palate snore or grind their teeth at night, which is not typical for a child, so we screen for airway considerations as part of the exam. Good sleep and steady oxygen matter a lot for growing kids, and a child who is not sleeping well can be restless or struggle to thrive. This is a place where being proactive saves a lot of time and trouble compared with waiting and reacting later.

Airway-focused orthodontics

How We Treat Crossbites on Maui

When a crossbite comes from a narrow upper jaw, a palatal expander gently widens it. This works best in children, ideally before about age 12 while the jaw is still growing. Braces then align the teeth into the correct bite. For adults whose jaw has stopped growing, MARPE (a miniscrew-assisted expander) can widen the upper jaw without surgery. Dr. Alex recommends the approach that fits your age and case.

Palatal expanders MARPE expansion Braces on Maui Braces vs clear aligners

Patient Story

A child came to our Makawao office with a narrow upper jaw and a crossbite on one side, causing a slight jaw shift. Dr. Verga used a palatal expander to widen the upper arch, then braces to settle the bite. The shift resolved and the bite came into balance.

Why Maui Braces

As a board-certified orthodontic specialist, Dr. Alex Verga has the training to treat crossbites the right way, including expansion options many practices do not offer. Warm, family-friendly, and proudly part of the Maui community.

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Crossbite: FAQs

What is a crossbite?

It is when upper teeth bite inside the lowers instead of outside. It can affect the front or back teeth and often comes from a narrow upper jaw.

Why fix a crossbite early?

In children, the upper jaw is still growing, so a crossbite from a narrow jaw is easiest to correct with expansion at that age. Early treatment can also prevent a jaw shift from affecting growth.

Will my child need an expander?

If the crossbite comes from a narrow upper jaw, often yes. An expander is a comfortable, effective way to create the right width. Dr. Alex confirms at the consultation.

Can adults fix a crossbite without surgery?

In many cases yes. MARPE, a miniscrew-assisted expander, can widen the upper jaw in adults without jaw surgery. We assess whether you are a candidate.

Can Invisalign treat a crossbite?

Clear aligners can address some dental crossbites, but crossbites from a narrow jaw usually need expansion first. Dr. Alex tells you what your case needs.

My child snores or grinds their teeth, is that related?

It can be. A narrow palate can crowd the tongue and is sometimes linked to snoring or grinding at night, which is not typical for a child. We screen for airway considerations as part of the exam, and if a medical concern seems possible we point you toward the right provider. Good sleep matters a lot for growing kids, so this is worth catching early.

What Patients Say About Maui Braces

★★★★★ 5.0 — 450+ Google Reviews

“Such an amazing Doctor and all of his staff! My daughter loved the kindness and comfort she experienced during her treatment. Highly recommended!” — Christly Garcia

“My son received orthodontic treatment from the Maui Braces team over the course of about 2.5 years, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. From day one to the final visit, the staff made us feel welcome and went above and beyond to be helpful and caring.” — Debra Lynn Ho