The unique design of a new appliance, the Nitanium® Palatal Expander2 ™can convey a uniform, slow, low, continuous force for rotation, expansion and distalization for arch development.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to do the following::

1. Know that 25-30% of all orthodontic patients can benefit from maxillary expansion.
2. Know that almost all Class II malocclusions can be improved by molar rotation, distalization, and/or expansion.
3. Understand that light and slow expansion procedures can allow physiologic adjustments and reconstitution of the suture elements.
4. Understand that nickel titanium can be used to provide an expansion rate that maintains tissue integrity while repositioning and remodeling of the teeth and bone.
5. Learn the procedures for appliance selection, preparation, placement, and adjustment of the Nitanium® Palatal Expander2™.
6. Understand other functions and uses of the Nitanium® Palatal Expander2 ™
   

Traditionally, rapid palatal expanders such as the Haas and the Hyrax have been used during treatment of discrepancies in the transverse plane. This type of expansion can deliver forces in the 1120 to 7500 grams range. It has been suggested that slower expansion procedures can provide a more physiological force for alterations to suture and periosteal tissues. The unique design of a new appliance, the Nitanium® Palatal Expander2 ™, can convey a uniform, slow, low, continuous force for rotation, expansion and distalization for arch development. A selection of sizes is available for the appropriate amount of arch development. The appliance can be constructed and delivered at chairside, thus eliminating expensive and time consuming laboratory procedures. The appliance can be used both bilaterally and unilaterally and has many uses that support other adjunctive therapy.

1. Introduction and Literature Review
   
   
2. Appliance Structure and Size Selection
   
   
3. Appliance Preparation and Cementation
   
   
4. Appliance Activation and Adjustment
   
   
5. Case Studies
   
   
6. Additional Features, Functions, and Uses
   
   
7. Advantages and Conclusions
   
   
8. Questions and Answers

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2. Hass A J. Rapid expansion of the maxillary dental arch and nasal cavity by opening the mid-palatal suture. Angle Orthodod. 1961; 31:73-90.
3. Hass A J. The treatment of maxillary deficiency by opening the mid-palatal suture. Angle Orthod. 1965; 35:200-217.
4. Hass A J. Palatal expansion: just the beginning of dentofacial orthopedics. Am J Orthod. 1970; 57:219-255.
5. Bishara SE, Stanley R N. Maxillary expansion: Clinical implications. Am J Ortho. 1987; 91:3-14
6. Hicks E P. Slow maxillary expansion: A clinical study of the skeletal vs. dental response to low magnitude force. Am J Orthod. 1978; 73:121-141
7. Story E. Tissue response to the movement of bone. Am J Orthod. 1978; 64:229.
8. Ekstrom C, et al. Mineralization in the midpalatal suture after orthodontic expansion. Am J Orthod. 1977;C71:449.
9. McAndrew JR. The Continuous Force Control System, Lance Technical Report, Lancer Pacific Inc., 1985
10. Henry RJ. Slow Maxillary expansion: A review of quad-helix therapy during the transitional dentition. Jour of Dent Child. 1993.
11. Bell RA, LeCompte E J. The effects of maxillary expansion using a quad-helix appliance during the deciduous and mixed dentition. Am J Orthod. 1981; 152-161.
12. Bell R A. A review of maxillary expansion in relation to rate of expansion and patient’s age. Am J Orthod. 1982; 32-37.
13. Corbett MC. Molar rotation and beyond. J Clin Orthod. 1996; 272-275.
14. McConnell TL, et al. Maxillary canine impaction in patients with transverse maxillary deficiency. J Dent Child. 1996
15. Corbett MC. Slow and continuous maxillary expansion, molar rotation, and molar distalization. J Clin Orthod. 1997; 246-263.