A crossbite appliance moves your teeth into proper alignment
Your orthodontist may use a crossbite appliance to move your teeth into proper alignment. She might illustrate how this appliance works using graphics designed by Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions.
Clarification
Dolphin Aquarium does not make anterior crossbite appliances. Rather, Dolphin Aquarium is a graphical interface visualization tool operated by Dolphin Imaging and Management Systems that helps illustrate how a specific type of anterior crosspiece appliance functions. In fact, the company provides detailed 3D visualizations for a wide variety of dental and orthodontic procedures and appliances.
Definition
An anterior crossbite describes the medical term for a bite in which person's upper teeth fall behind the lower teeth. Properly aligned upper teeth should fall slightly ahead of the lower ones.
Function
A crossbite appliance fixes an incorrect bite. An orthodontic device is inserted into the roof of the mouth behind the upper teeth. Over time, as the appliance gets adjusted, the upper palette expands and teeth slowly move forward to fall into appropriate alignment. (See Resources for a visualization of how one kind of crossbite appliance works.)
Methods
Some orthodontic crossbite appliances are attached semi-permanently to the upper molars and adjusted by orthodontists. Others can be removed and adjusted by the patient.
Considerations
Removable appliances may become lost or damaged more easily than those permanently affixed in the mouth. Young patients will respond best to crossbite treatment since the upper jaw, which does not fully fuse together until adulthood, is more malleable.
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