Case report: anterior crossbite: 2 treatment alternatives

Abstract

Introduction: Anterior crossbite is an anomaly of occlusion in the anteroposterior plane where the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth. It is one of the most common orthopedic problems in patients with primary dentition. This condition must be treated early in development. Among the objectives of early treatment are: correct overjet, restrict mandibular growth, reorient and stimulate the development of the upper jaw, aesthetics, avoid traumatic occlusal forces on teeth and periodontium, improve lip posture and facial appearance and avoid abnormal muscle patterns that affect the growth of the jaws and disturb the TMJ. This malocclusion may have a dentoalveolar, functional or skeletal component. When it has a dentoalveolar component, it can occur due to delayed eruption of upper incisors, retroclination of lower incisors, odontomas, supernumerary teeth, among others. When this malocclusion is of a skeletal type, it is caused by a discrepancy in the size or position of the maxilla with respect to the mandible. Objective: to present the main differential diagnoses of anterior crossbite, the reasons why it should be treated early and present 2 treatment alternatives in primary dentition. Case presentation: 2 cases are presented: one with involvement of the functional dental component, treated with an inclined plane and another case of the skeletal component, treated with a Raymond splint and protraction mask. Conclusion: Early treatment of anterior crossbite allows the recovery of the necessary functionality to correct growth deviations and the proper development of the patients' dentition.