Anterior straightening

A female patient came to me requesting to have her anterior teeth straightened. She had an anterior and posterior cross bite, particularly severe on the right.

We discussed her possible options, including restorative treatment, referring her to the DGH (District General Hospital) for a fixed orthodontic treatment or a sectional screw appliance to expand the arch and later Inman aligner. The patient opted for the third and least invasive treatment option with a sectional screw appliance to correct the cross bite, followed by an Inman Aligner.

After taking impressions and confirming this with an orthodontic specialist, Nimrod Dystein, I explained how the sectional screw appliance would work and encouraged the patient to consider her choice carefully, as this treatment would take some time. She decided to go ahead and we began treatment.

I fitted the sectional screw appliance during the first appointment, showing the patient how to turn the screw and recommended that she do so every four to five days. By doing this we were trying to expand the posterior segment for good alignment, and the patient was informed that an essix retainer would be needed after the completion of treatment to prevent the teeth from collapsing and reversing the affects of the screw.