AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe posterior bite block presents a good alternative for patients at risk of developing openbite during crossbite correction.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Functional shifts are significant due to the risk of becoming permanent and causing skeletal problems if not treated at an early age. Functional shift was diagnosed clinically by guiding the mandible into centric relation, revealing a transverse discrepancy and crossbite in teeth 22,23 and 24. This case report describes the correction of functional shift and associated issues, including deviation of the lower midline, crossbite in teeth 22, 23, and 24, and facial asymmetry, through the use of a posterior bite block and fixed orthodontic treatment. Facial asymmetry was assessed through clinical examination and standardized frontal photographic analysis. A posterior bite block was selected to eliminate occlusal interference, allow mandibular repositioning, and control vertical dimension during crossbite correction. In a 15-year-8-month-old female patient, the crossbite was corrected within 3 months with the use of a posterior bite block and upper arch bracketing. Subsequently, to achieve an ideal occlusion, lower arch bracketing and intermaxillary elastics were applied. After 13 months of treatment, the patient achieved a functional occlusion, with significant improvement in facial asymmetry. The posterior bite block presents a good alternative for patients at risk of developing openbite during crossbite correction.