The question of whether or not to attempt to fix a posterior crossbite in an adult patient with Invisalign might be tempting, but the default is not to attempt to do so. However, some professionals continue to try to do so because there is no explicit warning from Invisalign not to do so.

Just because there is no message that something is impossible doesn’t mean that it is A. possible or B. doesn’t come without harmful side effects. So, let’s discuss the impacts of attempting to fix a posterior crossbite with Invisalign or Clear Correct.


There are side effects that are possible from attempting this correction. These side effects are part of an important assessment in the risk-benefit analysis that you will need to go through as a dental professional. Fixing a posterior crossbite rarely outweighs the risks of killing a tooth, pushing a tooth through the buccal plate, killing the nerve, mispositioning the tooth, and causing problems later, among other risky possibilities.

There are some possible scenarios where you can make some corrections with Invisalign. One example of this scenario where you can shift is a unilateral crossbite where the midlines are off. Correcting this midline may end up correcting the bite as a result.

However, most cases do not have positive outcomes and shouldn’t be committed to fixing with Invisalign because of the risks. The priority here should be saving the patient’s teeth and prioritizing long-term outcomes rather than correcting the posterior crossbite. Examine these cases with an unbiased lens and think outside of the box of Invisalign. If you don’t or can’t offer other solutions than Invisalign, these patients need to be referred to another provider.