Clinical indications for the diagnosis and treatment of functional posterior crossbite in pediatric population: a narrative review with clinical description

The present manuscript aims to provide an updated overview of the clinical management of functional posterior crossbite (FPXB) in growing subjects which can be helpful for orthodontists and pediatric dentists in daily practice. Database searches were performed until December 2023 to evaluate the published literature on the topic. The most pertinent articles were chosen for the review from the retrieved articles. No restrictions regarding the year or language of publication were applied. Additional studies were included by manually searching the references of the included studies. The manuscript has been structured for a narrative purpose. Although there is evidence of spontaneous correction in the transition from deciduous to mixed dentition, the literature suggests initiating the treatment early to increase the success rate. Early treatment involves reducing the risk for potential temporomandibular disorders and adaptations at the level of skeletal, dental, and muscle components. Recent advancements in tridimensionali (3D) imaging systems can also help define the appropriate treatment time case-by-case. Considering the prevalence and the multiple etiological factors involved in the development of FPXB in the pediatric population, orthodontists and pediatric dentists should decide the treatment time for this condition with a careful evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio.

Functional posterior crossbite; Mandibular shift; Maxillary expansion; Interceptive orthodontics

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