correction in primary and mixed denti- tion with removable inclined plane (Bruckl appliance) Irena Jirgensone, Andra Liepa, Andris Abeltins
SUMMARY
Anterior crossbite correction in early mixed dentition is highly recommended as this kind of malocclusion do not diminish with age. Uncorrected anterior crossbite may lead to abnormal wear of the lower incisors, dental compensation of mandibular incisors leading to thinning of labial alveolar plate and/or gingival recession. There are several methods for solving this problem. In this article we would like to describe removable inclined plane. This is a removable simple func- tional appliance on the lower arch (jaw), which works as inclined plane. One of the advantage of the Bruckl appliance is that it can also be used as retention appliance after active treatment as well as it is possible to add acrylic teeth if necessary. Therefore it can be used as a removable partial denture in lower jaw in case where there is a premature loss of the primary teeth. The use of this appliance is illustrated with three cases.
Key words: anterior crossbite, early treatment.
INTRODUCTION
Anterior crossbite can be defined as upper fron- tal primary or individual permanent teeth lingual posi- tion in relationship to lower incisor teeth. There is relatively little literature data about the treatment meth- ods of anterior crossbite in primary and early mixed dentition (Fig 1, 2).
Nevertheless the malocclusion origin – skeletal or dentoalveolar, the treatment of anterior crossbite is recommended in primary and early mixed denti- tion. However early treatment does not always elimi- nates orthodontic treatment need in permanent oc- clusion. The aim of early treatment of this type of malocclusion is to correct anterior crossbite, as oth- erwise often can lead to very serious Class III mallocclusion which would be possible to treat only with combined orthodontic and orthognatic method [1, 10].
As the treatment is carried out with removable appliance good cooperation between the specialist and patient is one of the most important conditions for successful treatment result