The Crossbow^™ or XBow^™ is an appliance that is used to correct a patient’s overbite or overjet, as well as help with impacted teeth. All of this can be corrected before braces are even placed! The appliance consists of a conventional palatal expander as well as a banded appliance placed on the lower teeth. These two custom fitted appliances are connected by a spring device that corrects the bite in 4-6 months. This type of movement in the past took 12-14 months to accomplish. Because braces are not placed until after the Crossbow^™ has corrected the bite, patients are able to brush and floss easier and enjoy a greater variety of foods.

In the past, orthodontists have utilized many orthopedic appliances to reduce the protrusion of their patients' teeth. For decades, a head gear was the appliance of choice. This appliance can be effective, but must be worn 12-14 hours per day for many months to years to achieve the desired result. Many of our patients' parents remember the days of "strapping" on their head gear after school and taking it off in the morning. Occasionally they would even wear it to school! Newer appliances such as the Herbst^™ and the Mara^™ can also be effective, however they too need to be worn for 12 months. Studies show that the above appliances produce similar results to the Crossbow^™. The difference is that the Crossbow^™ is faster, more efficient, and has the added advantage of correcting major bite problems prior to the placement of brackets or braces.

What does this mean for our patients? Excellent results and less time in braces!

For more information, scientific studies, and references relating to the Crossbow^™, please visit www.crossboworthodontic.com.

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