Is that Class 3 Bite a Cr-Co Shift?

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to tell from static images if there is a CRCO shift? Well, in some situations, you might presume that there may be a CRCO shift involved in patients that are Class 3. These presumptions come from red flags that are able to clue you into the occurrence of a shift.

In this article, we will discuss the signs and red flags that there is a Class 3 CRCO functional shift in a mixed dentition case.

Signs There is a Class 3 CRCO Functional Shift in Mixed Dentition

Discovering what the red flags are for certain conditions can be a great timesaver when reviewing your cases. A red flag goes off, especially if the case involves children with mixed dentition and there are two different things in place. These two things are a unilateral crossbite and a misaligned lower midline which can be seen from a static image.

So, why are these cases red flags for CRCO shifts? First off, a full or functional unilateral crossbite is very rare. These crossbites can be great indicators for CRCO shifts, and they are typically associated with a CRCO shift.

Secondly, the lower midline being off can also be an indicator. You can tell that this lower midline is off by visualizing the face of the patient from a static image. If it appears like an adjustment to the jaw might correct the midline, then it’s possible that a CRCO shift is present.

In addition to these red flags, you can also try to see if the front teeth are retroclined with an x-ray or a CBCT slice. These teeth being retroclined can also be a red flag for a CRCO shift, but they are harder to tell just from a static image.