Scissor bite in a young patient treated with an orthodontic-orthopedic device. A case report

Scissor bite is a rare malocclusion that often leads to minor facial asymmetry. An orthodontic and orthopaedic correction is advisable in young patients to prevent subsequent temporomandibular diseases requesting maxillofacial intervention.

In this case report a 8-year-old girl in mixed dentition with unilateral left scissor bite was treated with a modified Rapid Palatal Expander. To modify an overexpanded maxilla (width 39 mm measured between both upper first molars) the device was used to close rather than to expand, without need of patient compliance. Orthodontic correction was then completed with traditional bracketing. Results were tangible (width 36 mm) and remained stable even for at least 2 years after retention. This original device has proved to be useful in this kind of situations and can be easily applied to young patient to correct such malocclusions.