---
title: "What Is Crossbite? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A crossbite is when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed, instead of outside them."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crossbite
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Crossbite

A crossbite is when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed, instead of outside them.

A crossbite is a type of [malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion). With a crossbite, your upper teeth fit inside your lower teeth when you close your mouth. In a normal bite, the upper teeth sit slightly outside the lower ones.

Causes of bite problems include crowded or crooked teeth, or upper and lower jaws that do not align the way they should. Tooth loss or dental trauma can cause them too. Left untreated, a bad bite can lead to tooth erosion, gum disease and other oral health issues.

A dentist can check your bite and tell you whether it needs treatment. Treatment can include braces or [clear aligners](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/clear-aligners). See also [underbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/underbite) and open bite. Our office describes straightening on its [teeth straightening page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-straightening).

[Town Center Dental can helpTeeth Straightening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-straightening)

## Related terms

-   [Malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion)
-   [Underbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/underbite)
-   [Open bite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/open-bite)
-   [Overbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/overbite)
-   [Braces](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/braces)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Malocclusion (Misaligned Bite): Types & Treatment](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22010-malocclusion)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)