Anterior crossbite treatment using functional orthopedic appliance: a case report

Abstract

Anterior crossbite can affect primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions. Early treatment is recommended, as it can impact facial, aesthetic, functional, and developmental aspects. The etiology of anterior crossbite is multifactorial, including dental, skeletal, and postural origins. Treatment should be defined based on age and etiology, with various therapeutic resources available for correction. In primary dentition, direct flat tracks, different types of functional orthopedic appliances, quad-helix, and facial mask can be used. In mixed dentition, fixed segmented or continuous orthodontics, elastics, and other devices can be added to the treatment. In permanent dentition, orthognathic surgery may be indicated for adults, especially in cases of anterior crossbite associated with skeletal Class III that cannot be compensated dentally. This case report describes the treatment of early mixed dentition anterior crossbite with a functional orthopedic appliance at the Orthodontic Specialization, Postgraduate Course at Modal college, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. After correction, proper chewing functions were reestablished with ideal developmental stimuli.