Contemporary Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
James
R. Waters,
DDS, MSD , PA
Board Certified Treatment for Children, Teens and Adults
Early Treatment (Phase I) Expansion
I wanted to send out a little information on early expansion
since many of my patients are younger and more likely to benefit from early
treatment v. traditional orthodontics.
As a specialist, I receive many younger patients as a referral already
with the knowledge there is a problem with either crowding, dental protrusion,
excessive overjet or even full crossbites.
Clearly a higher percentage of these patients will have treatment
recommended because they have already been screened (sometimes once by a
dentist and again by a pediatric specialist).
Many of these referred may receive a recommendation for expansion and I
wanted to clarify a few guidelines I use in making this recommendation. Whether or not “need” is the word, the
benefit of good, early expansion can greatly outweigh the cost and time by putting
a young patient on a path to an easier and more stable correction and sometimes
preventing later treatment altogether.
So let me answer some of the more common questions I hear from both
patients and directly/indirectly from their dentists.
Are expanders needed
if there is no crossbite?
First of all, the old way of thinking is to only expand when
there is an overt crossbite and there are some that still hang on to this
philosophy. However we have learned
that much of the crowding young patients develop can be attributed to
constriction from the upper teeth; in other words, a narrow maxilla may cause
lingual tipping across the lower arch instead of a crossbite; this leaves a
smaller lower arch and it manifests as crowding of the lower incisors as they
try to erupt. Expansion in the maxilla
to restore arch width will allow the lower arch to upright which increases the
arch length of both arches.
Does expansion
prevent extraction of permanent teeth?
In short the answer is yes, in borderline cases. This is one of the benefits of restoring the
arch width to the ideal size for the individual patient but it is not
absolute. We can only expand to the
ideal arch width based on the future width of the lower arch; if the mandible
is small, the expansion will be limited and extractions may still be necessary
and beneficial.
Do you expand to
increase the arch length alone?
No. The increased
arch length can only be a side-effect of restoring the arch width to the
ideal. Essentially we are returning the
tooth to bone size balance that should have been present before adverse muscle
activity/mouth breathing/thumb-sucking/tongue thrust altered the natural
equilibrium which led to the narrow arch form.
How can I tell if
expansion is needed?
If you do not want to refer patients for screening, there
are a few things I consider or focus on when evaluating
the primary dentition:
1.
Once 1st molars erupt, if they are Class II
and overjet is minimal on the sides, posture the patient forward into Class I;
if the buccal segments are now end-on or in crossbite, expansion is needed.
2.
If the patient is Class I on one side and Class II on
the other side; many times this is from constriction. Remember that the lower jaw can move; if
there are interferences in the developing occlusion (like a narrow maxilla),
the lower jaw will shift to a “best fit” and it does not always shift straight
back. This can create a lifelong
asymmetry if not corrected early.
3.
If there is crowding in the lower incisors very early
and when the patient smiles, their posterior teeth are not visible (dark buccal
corridors), this patient should be evaluated for early treatment.
4.
Anterior teeth are simply not erupting and/or primary
incisors are not exfoliating; its time to check the under-lying teeth and
evaluate the arch width. It is better to
check for problems early.
Are there different
types of expanders? Can they be
removable?
There are different designs of expanders but only two
accepted for true expansion of the maxilla;
1.
Removable expanders (built into retainers) have been
proven to tip upper teeth outward and are very inefficient at true skeletal
expansion. In other words a
removable expander will open the bite every time by extruding molars and will
relapse due to the severe tipping it causes on molars. These
are not acceptable for skeletal expansion and are generally not used by
accredited orthodontists.
2.
Banded expanders employ a hyrax screw soldered to
orthodontic bands and cemented to the upper molars. This traditional design is used widespread;
it is effective though not 100% efficient.
With a tendency to allow some
tipping, it can open the bite and increases vertical dimension in high angle
patients. If the bite opens early,
growth can magnify the increased vertical dimension.
3.
Bonded expanders are custom built to fit completely
around the upper permanent and primary molars tightly; once cemented in place
they provide the best skeletal expansion with a few added benefits:
A.
They completely
encase the molars with cement that releases Fluoride to protect teeth.
B.
The opposing teeth push up on the acrylic which
prevents extrusion of molars and can actually close an openbite through
posterior intrusion of teeth.
C.
The acrylic overlay acts as a splint and will
de-program backward and sideways shifts of the mandible present from the
initial constriction.
D.
The anterior bite is discluded during expansion which
allows the tongue to push on the lower teeth and self-correct them, especially
if lower primary cuspids are removed/exfoliated.
Can we wait on full
braces, why expand in borderline cases of crowding even if the arch is narrow?
Borderline cases have been the cause of relapse over and
over in the literature. As
orthodontists, we have tried many things to alleviate this including removal of
teeth, space maintenance (we still use), headgear to retract molars, re-shaping
or reducing the interproximal surfaces of teeth and simply leaning teeth
outward to mask the discrepancy. But the
problem remains if the crowding is more than re-shaping can alleviate and
taking teeth out creates too much space, what can we do to provide
stability? In a narrow case the answer
is to expand early in development in the upper and allow the tongue time to
upright the lower teeth.
When are braces used
in Phase I treatments and why?
In short, braces are considered for the following reasons
during Phase I:
1.
If there is an impacted tooth or teeth where roots of
adjacent teeth are blocking the path of eruption.
2.
If the front teeth are protruded to the point of
risking fracture from trauma.
3.
If the front teeth are leaning backward (Division II)
causing the lower jaw to push backward.
4.
If the bite is deep and the lower teeth hit the palate.
5.
If the front teeth are in crossbite and the bite is too
deep to simply push teeth with a retainer.
6.
If there are missing teeth and we need control to guide
remaining teeth into specific locations.
7.
If there is a significant mesial rotation on upper or
lower central incisors; early correction will prevent a lifelong struggle
trying to hold these straight if not corrected until later as a teen.
8.
If we are already expanding the maxilla and alignment
of the front teeth may be all that is necessary to prevent later braces (and
leaving the rotations will definitely lead to full braces).
Is early treatment
supported in the literature and accepted by the American Board of Orthodontics?
Yes. In fact, much of
the literature over the last 10 years has been heavily weighted to address the
many aspects and benefits (as well as past failures) related to interceptive
treatment. Insurances have changed to
the point surgical corrections are rarely covered even in the most severe
circumstances and long-term research has shown the significant degree of
relapse with surgeries (specifically mandibular advancement), with late (teen)
Class II corrections and with extraction therapy in borderline cases of
crowding; we as orthodontists have had to learn to treat skeletal problems
during growth while changes can still be made.
This has made the well informed orthodontic specialist a valuable asset
in providing not only a great smile but a lasting and stable occlusion. As with all orthodontics, not every case can
reach 100% ideal for many reasons but it is always our goal to aim for 100% so
that when we fall a little short, we are still providing a successful and
excellent correction.
This is the reason the American Association of Orthodontics,
the American Dental Association and the American Board of Orthodontics all
recommend patients be screened by accredited Orthodontic Specialists before age
7.
If you have questions or comments concerning this or any
orthodontic question, please feel free to make a complimentary new-patient
appointment at either my Steiner Ranch location or my North-central Austin
location on West 35th street and MoPac.
Dr. James R. Waters is
a 1996 graduate from UTHSC Dental School in San Antonio, 1997 graduate of
Advanced Dentistry from the UNMC in Nebraska and the 2001 Valedictorian
graduate from the prestigious Saint Louis University Orthodontic Program
receiving the J.P. Marshall award for clinical excellence in 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science,
Doctorate in Dental Surgery, a post-doctorate certificate in Advanced
Dentistry, post-doctorate Degree in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
and a Master of Science Degree in Orthodontics.
Dr. Waters and his wife of 18 years live in Austin, TX with their 4
children where he has a thriving, multi-faceted Specialist practice with
locations in Steiner Ranch and North-Central Austin.
You can learn more about Dr. Waters at
BracesAustin.com.
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