Have you been looking to determine whether a mixed dentition patient requires a palatal expansion and how this applies to dental vs skeletal crossbites? This can sometimes be a little tricky to accurately pinpoint and treat, which is why we’ve outlined a few critical things you should consider as part of your ortho course to help you find the right approach for mixed dentition patients.

When is a Palatal Expansion Required for Mixed Dentition Patients?

Mixed dentition patients (typically young children) may require a palatal expansion in some cases. A palatal expansion should be attempted at around seven to eight years of age and helps widen the palate, which may help with crossbite cases. However, there is a significant difference between dental and skeletal crossbites, which are highly important to recognize when determining the best ortho treatment course for the patient.

Dental vs Skeletal Crossbites

Generally speaking, in mixed dentition patients (children primarily), a dental crossbite is a relatively rare case to see. Contrastingly, skeletal crossbite are generally more common, such as maxillary hypoplasia or mandibular hyperplasia. However, the displacement of teeth could potentially put the patient at risk of a dental crossbite.

Final Thoughts

Generally speaking, most orthodontics cases you’ll see in mixed dentition patients requiring palatal expansion will be skeletal in nature. Dental displacements can occur, but these are generally less common overall.

Keywords

Orthodontics

Ortho course

Mixed Dentition