Orthodontic Expansion of V Shape Arches – 42 Year Old Male
Narrow arches (V shaped) can contribute to a number of problems including:
- Abnormal aberrant swallowing patterns – tongue goes between teeth
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle imbalance contributing to headaches and masticatory pain and muscle tension
This 41 year old male patient presents with a narrow V shaped upper arch with missing upper first bicuspids. Lower arch shows severe anterior crowding. Patient presented with musculoskeletal symptoms. After mandibular stabilization therapy upper arch removable expansion appliances were used (maxillary Schwartz). Later straight wire fixed brackets and arch wires were used to level and align the upper and lower arches.
© 2009 Clayton A. Chan, DDS. All Rights Reserved.
