SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT

This 6.75 hour CE course* will review:

• The importance of addressing the transverse dimension during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
• The ideal time period to address a transverse discrepancy.
• The controversy surrounding interceptive/Phase I treatment, especially as it pertains to arch development.
• The numerous patient benefits of well-timed, well-orchestrated interceptive treatment.
• The different modalities of arch expansion.
• Rapid maxillary expansion with traditional Hyrax-type “expanders” will be contrasted with slow maxillary expansion using braces and wires to develop the arches.
• Multiple cases will be presented to demonstrate how minimally invasive, comfortable, efficient, and profitable interceptive treatment can resolve crowding, eliminate the need to extract premolars, increase patient self- confidence, and improve airway patency. Parent/patient testimonials will also be provided.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT

This 1.5 hour CE course* will investigate the traditional means of using RME during interceptive treatment to expand the palate of patients with CL&P and contrast that to a new and innovative approach that uses just braces and wires.

Traditional treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate (CL&P) involves using rapid maxillary expansion (RME) to expand the maxilla during interceptive treatment in preparation for placement of the alveolar bone graft.  However, many of these patients do not actually have a posterior transverse discrepancy.  Instead, they have a narrow, V-shaped maxillary arch which is narrow in the middle and posterior thirds, and are often premaxillary deficient.  Therefore, traditional RME often over-expands the posterior segments and under-expands the middle and anterior segments of the arch, creating arch coordination issues with the mandibular arch.

In addition, expanders present many challenges such as food impaction, discomfort, speech issues, etc. that can make placement and maintenance challenging both for the practitioner and the patient.  And turning of the hyrax key is not always easy for the parent(s).

*DOC is a Certified CE Provider in the State of Florida