For most children, a crossbite is worth acting on around this age rather than waiting for all the adult teeth to come in. A crossbite rarely improves on its own, and while your daughter is still growing, an orthodontist can often guide her jaw and bite with gentler treatment than the same problem would need later. The right first step at 8 is an evaluation now. It tells you whether to begin treatment or simply keep an eye on things, and waiting quietly takes that choice away.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Polina Ingberman, DDS, Founder of Brace Central Orthodontics - Columbia-trained Orthodontist | A quarter of a century of experience | Last Updated: July 2026
A crossbite means some of the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. It can sit at the back of the mouth, where the upper jaw is a little narrow, or at the front, where a top tooth lands behind a bottom one. The reason age matters so much here is that a child's jaw is still forming at 8, and that changes what treatment can do. Here is how to think about the timing.
Why orthodontists treat a childhood crossbite early instead of waiting
The advantage at 8 is growth. The upper jaw is made of two halves joined by a seam down the middle of the palate, and in a child that seam has not yet fused. While it is still open, an orthodontist can widen a narrow upper jaw gradually with a palatal expander, which is often all a back-of-the-mouth crossbite needs. Once that seam finishes fusing in the mid-teen years, the same widening is no longer simple, and a skeletal crossbite in an older teen or adult can end up needing jaw surgery to address.
Crossbites also fall into two groups, and the group decides the plan. A dental crossbite comes from the position of a tooth or two and can often be improved with limited braces on a few teeth. A skeletal crossbite comes from the width of the jaw itself and is where the expander does its work. This is why a real answer comes from an exam rather than a guess. As Dr. Polina Ingberman puts it, many crossbites can be improved without surgery, but it takes a clinical evaluation to know which kind you are dealing with and what will help.
What happens if you wait until her adult teeth are in
Waiting isn't neutral. A crossbite left in place can lead the lower jaw to shift toward one side to find a comfortable bite, and over time that uneven closing can wear certain teeth down faster than others and add strain to the jaw joints. In a growing child it can also nudge the jaw to develop unevenly, which is harder to influence once growth slows.
The other cost of waiting is that it narrows your options. The gentle, growth-based tools work most easily while the jaw is still flexible. Hold off until every adult tooth has come in and the same crossbite can call for longer or more involved treatment. None of this means a crisis at 8. It means the easier path is usually the earlier one, and an evaluation now is how you find out which path is yours.
What crossbite treatment looks like at age 8
Treatment at this age is usually lighter than parents expect, because the jaw is still cooperative. For a narrow upper jaw, a palatal expander widens it gradually, a small amount at a time. For a crossbite that is really about one or two tooth positions, a set of limited braces guides those teeth into a better bite. Brace Central Orthodontics offers expanders and braces along with bite improvement for exactly these early cases, and records start with a digital iTero scan rather than a tray of putty, so an orthodontist can see whether the crossbite is coming from the teeth, the jaw, or both before anything begins.
Not every crossbite spotted at 8 is treated the same week. If it is mild, an orthodontist may choose to monitor your daughter and act at the right moment instead. That call belongs to the exam.
She explained everything clearly and made my daughter feel relaxed during the visit.
Amy D Poole
Will she still need braces as a teenager?
Sometimes, and that is normal. Early treatment for a crossbite has a specific job: to sort out the bite and the jaw foundation while growth is on your side. It isn't a promise that braces will never follow. Many children go through this first, focused step now and then a fuller round of braces or aligners as teenagers to align the rest of the teeth once they've all arrived.
That two-part rhythm is normal, and it works in your favor. Handling the crossbite early tends to make whatever comes later simpler and shorter than it would have been if the bite had been left to settle in. Because the timing is different for every child, an orthodontist maps out the sequence for your daughter specifically rather than following a set schedule.
When should your child first see an orthodontist?
Around age 7. That's the age Dr. Polina Ingberman recommends for a first orthodontic evaluation, and it lines up with the wider orthodontic guideline, because by then enough permanent teeth and molars are in for an orthodontist to read how the bite is developing. At 8, your daughter is right in that window.
Seeing an orthodontist early doesn't commit you to treatment. Most children who come in at this age don't need anything done that day. Catching a bite issue early simply lets an orthodontist plan the simplest, shortest treatment later, or confirm that all is well and send you home. For a crossbite specifically, that early look is where the timing decision actually gets made.
Dr Polina Igberman is amazing. Friendly and professional. Took care of my 10 yo daughter.
Diana A
Crossbite evaluations for children at Brace Central Orthodontics in Brooklyn
Brace Central Orthodontics treats children, teens, and adults across South Brooklyn, and every plan is designed and overseen by an orthodontist. The practice was founded by Dr. Polina Ingberman, who graduated first in her class at NYU College of Dentistry on a full scholarship and completed her orthodontic training at Columbia. The team includes Dr. Amalya Igityan, a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Records are taken with an iTero scanner, and the office works with families in English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
She is very knowledgeable, professional and very kind, my daughter loves her.
Anna Vilman
If your daughter has a crossbite and you're weighing whether to start now, the clearest next step is an orthodontic evaluation while she is still growing. Call (718) 998-1888 for a free consultation, or reach the Brace Central Orthodontics office with your questions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a crossbite improve on its own as the adult teeth come in?
Usually not. A true crossbite rarely resolves on its own, which is why it is worth having looked at rather than assumed away. A mild one is sometimes monitored while the adult teeth arrive, but that is a decision an orthodontist makes after an exam, not a reason to wait and see on your own.
Is a crossbite just a cosmetic problem?
No. Beyond how the smile looks, a crossbite can wear certain teeth unevenly, push the lower jaw to shift to one side, and add strain to the jaw joints over time. Improving it protects how your daughter's teeth meet and function, and a straighter smile tends to come with that.
Does dental insurance cover early orthodontic treatment?
Many plans include orthodontic benefits, and how much is covered depends on the plan and the specific bite problem. Brace Central Orthodontics accepts most major dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and the office can walk you through what your coverage looks like at your consultation.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.
