The importance of correct occlusion and the positioning of the teeth in the dental arch is a factor that, beyond the aesthetics of the smile, contributes to the correct development of the dental arches, to proper chewing and eating and also to ensuring that the temporomandibular joint (the relationship between the jaw and the rest of the skull) does not suffer excessive pressure throughout the patient's life.
In this sense, early screening of children's dentition allows the detection of multiple pathologies that can be treated even when they have primary or 'baby' teeth, thus avoiding complex surgical interventions when they are adults, and minimising the risks of facial asymmetries.
One of the most easily treatable pathologies at an early age is the existence of an mild crossbiteinvolving one or more primary teeth:
The treatment consists of a small 'track' of composite (a compomer such as that used to make fillings or fillings, white in colour and with maximum aesthetics) which temporarily uncrosses the occlusion, normally placed on the canine of the affected side, so that the vertical dimension of both sides is balanced:
This prevents the patient from eating only on the side of the crossbite and, within a few weeks, the patient recovers normal occlusion on both sides, achieving a situation of normality in a simple, aesthetic and fast way, avoiding complicated and costly appliances.
For this reason, it is important to diagnose this type of pathology at an early stage, going to trusted dental professionals who will be able to diagnose the needs of the youngest members of the household and, if necessary, propose solutions such as this to improve the quality of life of children's patients.
