Anterior Crossbite Treatment with a Self-Ligating Bracket System

Anterior crossbite in the permanent dentition may be due to abnormal inclination of the maxillary and mandibular incisors, occlusal interferences, or skeletal discrepancies of the maxilla and/or mandible. Traditionally Class III patients are treated with lower premolar extraction. When extractions are performed only in the mandibular arch, special attention should be paid to the torque of the lower incisors to prevent excessive lingual tipping. Gingival recession may occur with excessive retraction of the lower incisors to close extraction space(s). The use of a self-ligating bracket system may have advantages for treating crossbite associated with both Class III and Class I malocclusions. The play between the main arch wire and the bracket slot provides mechanical freedom to facilitate tooth movement. Clinical cases are presented to demonstrate this technique for correcting Class III and Class I malocclusions with anterior crossbite.

Keywords: Class III malocclusions, Passive self-ligating bracket system, skeletal Class, Anterior Crossbite.