Purpose: To assess the degree of bone destruction for teeth in anterior crossbite by means of 3D cone beam computed tomography and lateral cephalometry. Material/methods: 20 patients with anterior crossbite underwent 3D cone beam computed tomography and lateral cephalometry of the anterior segments of the maxilla and mandible. The destruction of the bone in the anterior segments of the maxilla and mandible was measured (vestibularly and lingually)– the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the top of the alveolar bone. The parameters of bone resorption for teeth 21 and 31 on cephalogramsand 3D computed tomography images were compared. For both incisors, the mean value registered by means of cephalometry was slightly higher than that registered with 3D. Results: The total mean value of bone destruction for anterior teeth was significantly higher vestibularly compared to lingually, both for the maxilla (p = 0.030) and mandible (p = 0.030). Significantly higher mean values ​​of bone destruction were found in the mandible compared to the maxilla. For both incisors (21 and 31), the mean value of resorption recorded by cephalometry was slightly higher than that recorded by 3D cone beam computed tomography, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: We found significantly higher values ​​of vestibular bone destruction compared to lingual bone destruction. Bone destruction in the mandible reached a significantly higher level than that in the maxilla. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean values ​​of bone destruction measured by means of cephalometry and 3D cone beam computed tomography.

Introduction: Orthodontic discrepancies are a common finding in patients with supernumerary teeth (ST). The presence of a ST can cause a number of orthodontic discrepancies, such as delayed eruption or retention of adjacent teeth, crowding, spacing, abnormal root formation and so on. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of extraction of an anterior supernumerary tooth on the underlying orthodontic discrepancies without additional treatment for a 6-month period. Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal, observational, study. It included 40 individuals with orthodontic malocclusions due to maxillary anterior supernumeraries. We examined the changes in the crowding and excessive space in the anterior and posterior segments on cast models. Results: In the group that presented with crowding, a statistically significant decrease of 0.95 ± 0.17 mm ( P < 0.001) was found between T0 and T1. Of the participants, three exhibited full self-correction. The excessive space at T0 (3.06 mm) decreased by 1.78 ± 0.19 mm to T1 (1.28 mm) in the anterior segment. Seven patients showed full self-correction of the diastemas after the 6-month observation period. Conclusion: The results imply that orthodontic treatment can be postponed for at least 6 months after the extraction of the supernumerary tooth as potential self-correction can be expected. This natural alleviation of the malocclusions may make the orthodontic treatment simpler, shorten the treatment time and decrease overall appliance wear time.