Treatment of Class III malocclusion with Balters’ bionator in pediatric and adolescent patients: a narrative review

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that malocclusion ranks third in the priorities of global public dental health issues, given its widespread prevalence, qualifying it as a matter of public health relevance. Anterior crossbite is characterized by the improper positioning of the upper anterior teeth, which overlap inside compared to the lower teeth. This specific occlusal discrepancy requires timely intervention to prevent worsening, potentially progressing to a skeletal stage in adulthood, where correction often demands orthognathic surgical procedures. In this context, the purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review to illustrate the relevance of early treatment of anterior crossbite using an adaptation of the Bionator appliance by Balters. This method was employed to address Class III malocclusion in the mixed dentition phase. The analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of this approach when implemented early, in order to satisfactorily address this occlusal irregularity.