A Review on Transverse Discrepancies

Transverse skeletal changes involving maxilla occurs first, followed by vertical and horizontal changes. Transverse changes present as solitary or in significance to other change and are of either skeletal or dentoalveolar in origin, but mainly are the results of a slight or severe constriction of the maxilla that leads to either unilateral, bilateral or unilateral functional crossbite and may be associated with Class III malocclusion or Class II malocclusion. The article highlights the development, types, diagnosis and assessment, treatment and correction of transverse discrepancies. It is important for the practitioner to understand the diagnostic processes involved in evaluating a crossbite to arrive at a diagnosis for effective and efficient treatment.