Estimation of Total Time Duration and Comfort Equation of Three Different Appliances used to Manage the Condition of Single Tooth Developing Anterior Crossbite in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Single tooth anterior dental crossbite is a major aesthetic and functional concern to the parents during the early stages of dental development with evident incidence rate during the early mixed dentition period. Though several treatment modalities exist on the dental management of these patients with developing single tooth anterior crossbite, earlier literature has shown variation among dentists in management of such cases. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the total time duration and comfort equation of three different appliances used to manage the condition of single tooth developing anterior crossbite in children at Mogappair, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, using a semi structured printed questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A total number of 30 patients was divided into three groups. 10 patients in each group had underwent treatment with fixed, removable and myofunctional appliances. The inter visit comfort assessment questionnaire in printed format containing five questions was given to all the parents at their first and last visit during their child’s dental treatment, at the waiting area of the department, inside the college campus. Chi-square test was used to analyse the data. Results: Of the total patients (n=30), the time duration for correcting single tooth developing anterior crossbite by fixed appliance was 11 days, removable appliance was 15 days and myofunctional appliance was 21 days. Comfort equation was found to be better in fixed appliance when compared with removable and myofunctional appliance. Conclusion: Several treatment modalities are available for the management of single tooth developing anterior crossbite. Based on the results of this study, the author suggest’s that further research is still needed with larger sample size in estimating the time duration and comfort equation used to manage single tooth developing anterior crossbite for providing effective paediatric dental care.

Keywords

• early mixed dentition
• fixed appliance
• myofunctional appliance
• removable appliance