Removable orthodontic aligners- an alternative for dentoalveolar expansion in mixed dentition: a case report

Abstract

During the development process of an individual, several changes occurred from the prenatal period to adulthood. The synchronized growth between the facial bones will result in a harmonius and balanced profile, just as the discrepancy between them will result in skeletal, dental and facial problems. In the literature there are different types of devices to expand dental arches. The choice of device will be determined by the origin of the atresia. Dental atresias must be treated through dentoalveolar expansion, while for skeletal atresias rapid expansion is indicated. When properly indicated, removable orthodontic aligners are considered a promising alternative in mixed dentition and have been used to expand arches in cases of discrepancies of up to 5 mm. The objective of this work was reporting a treatment in the mixed dentition phase that required dentoalveolar expansion carried out using removable orthodontic aligners.