Anterior Crossbite
An anterior crossbite involves one or more front teeth. The upper teeth are supposed to fit over (or in front of) the lower teeth. When this is reversed, there can be problems. It is usually best to correct these crossbites as soon as reasonably possible. Crossbites can be corrected with "braces" or sometimes a simple fixed or removable appliance. I like to use a fixed palatal arch with a finger spring to "push" the tooth forward from behind. Works very well. More here on Posterior Crossbites.
Labels: Orthodontics
posted by Dr. Dean Brandon @ 6:16 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I have a 9 year old son who has an underbite/crossbite as well as crowded teeth. I have consulted with 3 orthodontists. 2 have recommended an expander then braces. The last orthodonists recommended braces only and said that my son's bite in the back of his mouth is fine but his teeth appear to have grown inward. What is the typical procedure for correcting these kinds of dental problems? I want to understand so that I can make an informed decision about his treatment. Thanks!
What you have heard from them seems in line with what is usually recommended. However, every case is different.
My 11 year old daughter has one of her top front teeth-first one next to the right center one, before the canine-that is completely behind the others and when she closes her mouth, it goes behind the bottom teeth too. My mother and I both had problems with overcrowding-is that what my daughter's problem is? It's so severe I was wondering what sort of procedure would be involved to correct it, and about how much it would cost. The rest of her top teeth look fine except for that one, and the small gap where it should have gone in the line up. Small bit of overcrowding on the bottom and some crookedness in the front 6 (including the canines).
No way to tell on cost because there may be things there that make things complicated --or not. A consultation with the orthodontist or pediatric dentist would be advised. Mainly you want to move it forward, but you have to make room where it is going to go, which is often the hard part.
I'm curious as to your thoughts on a 4 year old with a slight anterior cross bite. What factors would you think would lead to the self correction of the malocclusion, and what are some things to look at for as the child progresses into a mixed dentition. I'm a dental student so please be as thorough as possible in your answer, as i am looking to gain knowledge from your experience.
Anterior crossbites in preschoolers. Well, I don't often treat these cases early. If it's just slight, then I'd wait--it might be ok when the incisors erupt. There have been a few cases where we bonded the anterior teeth and corrected it, but usually I wait till the permanent teeth begin to erupt. That's when you can tell it it's going to be a problem or not. If a permanent incisor erupts into crossbite, then I am thinking to correct it as soon as feasable. If it is just one, then a simple fixed crossbite appliance is used (sort of a palatal arch with a finger spring on the lingual to push forward the tooth). If it is just beginning to look like one tooth is going into crossbite, I try and head it off..., I have had the parent use a wooden tongue blade or popsicle stick over a few weeks to encourage the tooth to move forward ever so slightly to hopefully erupt in front of the lower incisor--only effective about 25% of the time, but sometimes worth trying. If it is say, all four upper incisors, then better to use brackets and an archwire. Some kids have so many things going on that you can wait till a more appropriate time to evaluate and treat multiple things at once.
Some kids have the genetic predisposition to be Class III. You can correct the anterior crossbite early if possible, but often, as with most Class III's you have to wait till they have completed all their growth (age 16-18) to really deal with the whole thing. So, basically anterior crossbites, as with all cases in orthodontics, you have to evaluate each patient on a case by case basis.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!
thank you for your response, i appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.
I have a 9 year old daughter who has an anterior crossbite as well as missing the teeth on either side of her upper font teeth. She got spacers today and she goes back next week to get brackets to correct her cross bite. Do you think this is too young for brackets? The orthodontist tells me that when she finishes cutting all her teeth she will need a full set of braces... I dont know where she got all these problems as my teeth and her father's teeth are almost perfectly straight without braces.
Sounds like a minor "1st phase" treatment. Likely to be followed later on by more treatment if indicated. Not uncommon. I treat crossbites like that all the time at that age. Sometimes we get dad's big teeth in mama's small mouth---crowding. It's always ok to blame dad.--Ha!
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