---
title: "Scissor Bite Orthodontics UK: Brodie Bite Causes and Treatment"
url: https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/scissor-bite-orthodontics-uk
description: "Guide to scissor bite (Brodie bite / lingual crossbite) in the UK — definition, causes, unilateral vs bilateral presentation."
updated: 2026-08-17T00:00:00Z
publisher: Virtual Consultant Online
---

Scissor Bite

Brodie Bite

Crossbite

# Scissor Bite (Brodie Bite): Orthodontic Treatment in the UK

A scissor bite — also called a Brodie bite or lingual crossbite — is the opposite of the more familiar buccal crossbite. Upper buccal teeth completely overlap lower buccal teeth to the outside, preventing normal contact. It is uncommon, and treatment can be challenging.

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## What is a scissor bite?

A scissor bite (Brodie bite) is a type of posterior crossbite where the upper buccal teeth (premolars and molars) sit entirely outside and over the lower buccal teeth, rather than in the normal interdigitating relationship. In normal occlusion, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth slightly at the buccal cusps, but the palatal cusps of upper teeth make contact with the central fossa of lower teeth. In a scissor bite, the lower buccal segment is positioned so far lingually that there is no contact at all between upper and lower buccal teeth — the teeth pass each other like the blades of scissors without meeting. This is distinct from a buccal crossbite (the more common posterior crossbite), where the lower teeth are outside the upper.

## Causes of scissor bite

A scissor bite typically results from a discrepancy in the transverse width of the upper and lower arches: the upper arch is significantly wider than the lower, or the lower arch is significantly narrower than the upper, or both. Contributing factors include digit-sucking habits during development (which can narrow the lower arch while widening the upper), patterns of jaw growth, and skeletal discrepancies. Unilateral scissor bite may arise from asymmetric jaw growth, an early loss of deciduous teeth causing positional shift, or a single ectopic tooth. Bilateral scissor bite is less common and typically has a more significant skeletal component.

## Unilateral vs bilateral presentation

Unilateral scissor bite affects one side of the arch and is more common. It may cause a functional shift of the mandible to one side on closure, with associated asymmetry of the midline. Left untreated, this shift can create adaptive changes in the TMJ and facial musculature over time. Bilateral scissor bite affects both sides, is rarer, and is more likely to have a significant skeletal aetiology. Treatment planning for bilateral scissor bite often requires more complex intervention, particularly in adults where growth modification is no longer possible.

## Treatment: cross-arch elastics and buccalisation

The primary orthodontic approach to scissor bite is to buccalise the lower buccal teeth — moving them outward — while maintaining or reducing the upper arch width. Cross-arch elastics attached from the lingual aspect of lower premolar or molar brackets to the buccal aspect of the corresponding upper tooth apply a force couple that tips the lower tooth buccally and the upper tooth lingually. This can correct mild to moderate scissor bite, but the correction relies on tipping movement rather than bodily tooth movement, and relapse risk is significant without prolonged retention. Some cases also require lower arch expansion using a fixed lower expander or a lower lingual arch to create space for the lower buccal teeth to move buccally.

## Temporary anchorage devices (TADs)

For more significant scissor bites, or where good anchorage is needed to achieve bodily movement rather than tipping, temporary anchorage devices (TADs / mini-screws) can be used. A TAD placed in the lower buccal alveolus can provide an anchorage point for elastic or spring force directed buccally on the lower buccal teeth, enabling more controlled movement. TADs allow forces to be applied more precisely and reduce the dependency on patient cooperation for elastic wear. They are placed under local anaesthetic as a minor chairside procedure and removed at the end of treatment.

## Surgical treatment for severe cases

In adults with severe bilateral scissor bite driven by skeletal discrepancy — particularly a significantly narrow lower jaw — surgical correction may be required. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis can widen the lower jaw, and this can be combined with orthodontic treatment. For very severe asymmetric cases, orthognathic surgery may be needed. Surgical options are generally reserved for cases where orthodontic treatment alone cannot achieve a functional occlusion and stable result. The combination of orthodontic preparation, surgery, and post-surgical orthodontic finishing can provide a stable, functional correction.

## Clear aligner treatment and scissor bite

Clear aligners face particular challenges in correcting scissor bite. The transverse movements required — buccalising lower buccal teeth while potentially narrowing the upper arch — are among the least predictable movements in aligner treatment. Aligner trays track poorly on teeth that are significantly out of arch form, and the tip corrections needed often require large overcorrections in the digital treatment plan. Many aligner companies acknowledge that posterior crossbites and scissor bites are better treated with fixed appliances, at least in part. If aligners are used, careful monitoring of tracking and the use of attachments to improve force delivery are essential.

## NHS IOTN eligibility and treatment duration

A scissor bite may contribute to a higher IOTN score, particularly if it causes a functional mandibular shift (IOTN dental health component grade 4 or 5) or if it is causing trauma to soft tissues. However, each case is assessed individually, and scissor bite alone does not guarantee NHS eligibility. Private treatment for scissor bite typically takes 18 to 24 months depending on severity, whether TADs are used, and whether any skeletal component requires management. Relapse is a significant concern, and permanent retention — a fixed lower retainer and a upper retainer — is recommended indefinitely.

## Useful related pages

[Crossbite Treatment UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/crossbite-treatment-uk)

[Posterior Crossbite Treatment](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/posterior-crossbite-treatment-uk)

[Palatal Expander UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/palatal-expander-uk)

[Orthodontic Elastics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-elastics-rubber-bands-uk)

[TADs and Mini-screws in Orthodontics](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/tads-miniscrews-orthodontics-uk)

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.

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### Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a scissor bite and a crossbite?

A crossbite is a broad term describing any situation where upper and lower teeth are not in their correct transverse relationship. A scissor bite (Brodie bite) is a specific type of posterior crossbite where the upper buccal teeth sit entirely outside the lower buccal teeth, with no contact at all. It is the opposite of the more common buccal crossbite, where lower teeth are outside upper teeth. Scissor bite is less common and generally more challenging to treat.

Can elastics fix a scissor bite?

Cross-arch elastics worn from the lingual of a lower tooth to the buccal of the upper tooth in the same segment can correct mild to moderate scissor bite by tipping the lower tooth buccally and the upper tooth lingually. The main limitations are that correction relies on tipping (not bodily movement), patient compliance is required, and relapse is common if retention is inadequate. For more significant scissor bites, especially those with a skeletal component, elastics alone are insufficient.

Does a scissor bite always need treatment?

Not necessarily. A very mild scissor bite involving a single tooth, without functional shift, soft tissue trauma, or wear, may not require treatment. Treatment is indicated when there is a mandibular functional shift (which can stress the TMJ and cause asymmetric jaw growth in children), when there is no functional contact on the affected side, when there is trauma to the palatal mucosa from the lower teeth, or when the patient has significant aesthetic concerns. Your orthodontist will assess severity and advise on the clinical need for treatment.

Is a scissor bite the same as a Brodie bite?

Yes. Brodie bite is the eponymous clinical term for a scissor bite. It describes a situation where the upper buccal teeth completely overlapse the lower buccal teeth in both transverse and vertical dimensions, with no interdigitation. Some clinicians use 'scissor bite' for a single tooth in this relationship and 'Brodie bite' for a segment or complete unilateral or bilateral presentation, but the terms are generally used interchangeably.

Will my scissor bite come back after treatment?

Relapse is a significant risk for scissor bite correction, particularly when treatment has relied on elastic tipping rather than bodily movement. The factors that originally caused the scissor bite — arch width discrepancy, skeletal pattern — do not disappear with orthodontic treatment. To reduce relapse risk, treatment should achieve proper interdigitation of cusps (not just tip-to-tip contact), and permanent retention is essential. A lower fixed retainer and an upper removable or bonded retainer worn long-term are typically recommended. Regular review in the first two years after treatment monitors for relapse.

Can a scissor bite be treated with Invisalign?

Clear aligners can attempt scissor bite correction, but posterior transverse movements are among the least predictable in aligner treatment, and many manufacturers flag posterior crossbites as challenging cases. Fixed braces, potentially combined with TADs and cross-arch elastics, typically give more reliable and controllable correction. If aligners are chosen, frequent monitoring of aligner tracking, use of precision attachments, and possibly a hybrid approach (aligners plus fixed auxiliaries) may be needed.

Does NHS treatment cover scissor bite?

NHS orthodontic treatment is available to under-18s who meet the IOTN threshold. A scissor bite may contribute to a higher IOTN dental health component score — particularly if it causes a functional mandibular shift (DHC grade 4 or 5) or soft tissue damage. However, NHS eligibility is based on the overall IOTN assessment, not on any single feature of the occlusion. Most adults with scissor bite will need to access private orthodontic treatment.

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Citation details

Title Scissor Bite Orthodontics UK: Brodie Bite Causes and Treatment

Publisher Virtual Consultant Online

Published 2024-06-01

Updated 2026-08-17

URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/scissor-bite-orthodontics-uk](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/scissor-bite-orthodontics-uk)