Dentistry - Pediatric crossbite

Author

Pediatric crossbite

kenyadee via MedKB.com

2006-11-13, 4:43 pm

Hi,
My son's pediatric dentist is recommending a w-wire for crossbite. What I've
read on the topic, there are two schools of thoughts. One advocates two
phase treatment - orthodontia at a young age, then a second phase during the
teen years. The other side seems to feel the orthodontia at a young age is
wasted, that you still have to repeat it again later with no diminishment in
time invested.

I'd be interested in professional thoughts on this. My son is 4½ and would
be 5 at the age of treatment. He has no major problems, other than
occasional grinding at night.

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Message posted via http://www.medkb.com

Mark & Steven Bornfeld

2006-11-13, 4:43 pm

kenyadee via MedKB.com wrote:

> Hi,
> My son's pediatric dentist is recommending a w-wire for crossbite. What I've
> read on the topic, there are two schools of thoughts. One advocates two
> phase treatment - orthodontia at a young age, then a second phase during the
> teen years. The other side seems to feel the orthodontia at a young age is
> wasted, that you still have to repeat it again later with no diminishment in
> time invested.
>
> I'd be interested in professional thoughts on this. My son is 4½ and would
> be 5 at the age of treatment. He has no major problems, other than
> occasional grinding at night.
>

There are other possible considerations other than school of thought.
For example, if there is a serious cross or open bite, it can affect
developing speech patterns and swallowing patterns, which may make
correction at a later date more difficult.
The pediatric dentist has the benefit of having seen your son,
something that I and the "other side" have not.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001