THE ANTERIOR DENTAL CROSS-BITE: the paradigm of interception in orthodontics TÍTULO A mordida cruzada anterior: o paradigma da interceptação em ortodontia

OBJECTIVES : To present specific clinical interception procedures instituted to reduce malocclusion severity on developmental stage. Anterior tooth cross-bite, involving one or two permanent teeth, is a common form of malocclusion diagnosed in children about 6 years of age. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION : Various devices can be suggested for single tooth cases, like removable cantilevered double-helix apparatus with digital springs, which is one of the most efficient to intercept malocclusion. In the other hand, fixed appliance does not depend on patient’s cooperation and have greater action power and liberates more continuous forces. CONCLUSION : Dental anterior cross-bite, involving one tooth, can be corrected by means of the multi-loop arch wire with a double-helix, even in cases where adequate space for alignment is lacking.