Early interceptive treatment in the primary dentition - a case report

This article describes treatment of a patient presenting with a class II malocclusion, maxillary and mandibular crowding, posterior crossbite and an increased deep bite, where the specific treatment goals were achieved in the early mixed dentition by only working on the primary teeth. A Haas-type rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance was modified to be anchored on the primary second molars and canines and activated once a day, with each activation equal to 0.20 mm. The appliance was blocked after 30 days and left as a retainer. After 6 months, the RME appliance was removed and bands were cemented to the primary second molars in order to apply traction with headgear. After complete eruption of the mandibular central and lateral incisors, sequential slicing of the lower primary teeth was performed to transfer the leeway space from the distal to the mesial part of the arch. When the patient had entered the permanent dentition, a dental class I relationship was achieved, the crossbite corrected and the crowding improved. The overjet and overbite were also improved. No permanent teeth were involved during this phase of treatment. The outcome of this case report shows that it is possible to work only on primary teeth in the mixed dentition and this can be an effective way to correct a class II malocclusion with deep bite, posterior crossbite and maxillary and mandibular crowding.