CROSS BITES
Be it a single tooth, a quadrant, or an entire arch, cross-bites can be corrected with removable appliances.
Depending on severity, as either a pre-fixed orthodontic treatment, or for patients needing minor tooth movement but not full ortho treatment.
These relatively simple alternative treaments offer life changing results.
Anterior alignment appliance
This particular appliance was constructed for a 36 year-old female patient. No prior orthodontic treatment. She has a well-rounded arch and normal occlusion with the exception of misaligned laterals and lingually placed central incisors. She did not have issues with the maxillary arch and could not afford traditional braces. The anteriors were deemed too extreme for a simple spring aligner.
By adding an expansion screw at the midline and incorporating the four anterior teeth into a wedge of acrylic, with the activation of the appliance the teeth were bodily pushed into the labial bow, which was bent into the ideal arch form. Slight stripping of the contacts was necessary and the acrylic was relieved as the teeth moved labially. Ball clasps were used for retention mesial to the first molars. Alignment was achieved and a traditional bonded 3x3 fixed retainer was placed to prevent relapse.
Schwarz expansion appliance
Anterior alignment retainer
These maxillary and mandibular appliances were constructed for a bride who did not want her "braces" in her wedding pictures. As treatment was not yet complete, retainers were fabricated witht the addtion of s-springs on all anterior teeth, soldered c-clasps for retention and clear acrylic placed in the spaces where implants were to be placed in the future. Her photos look great and her orthodontic treatment was completed with the use of appliances.