Expansion in the Early Mixed Dentition: Is It Worth the Effort?

Orthodontic and orthopedic expansion in 7-9 year old patients has been used has been used routinely by the speaker for nearly four decades. Several prospective clinical studies have been conducted that have evaluated the short-term and long-term treatment effects produced by expansion with the bonded acrylic splint expander with or without prior orthodontic expansion of the lower arch by way of a removable Schwarz appliance. Long-term changes in arch width, arch perimeter and intercanine distance will be compared to those occurring in untreated subjects, providing a realistic view of what can be accomplished by expanding in the early mixed dentition.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the basic protocols for the removable Schwarz appliance and the bonded acrylic splint expander.
• Evaluate the short-term treatment effects of this early expansion protocol.
• Evaluate the long-term outcome of expansion in comparison to untreated subjects.