Class III - Cross-bite, Non-Extraction / Non-Surgical

Initial: This patient has crowding of the upper teeth as a result of a narrow upper jaw. Both of the upper canine teeth are blocked out of the arch form. You can see that the upper teeth fit inside the lowers. In a normal occlusion you should see the opposite.

Treatment: A rapid palatal expander was used in this patient to open the suture of the upper jaw and allow for orthopedic expansion. Following the expansion of the upper jaw braces were placed on all teeth. Very soft wires were placed into the braces and the patient was instructed to wear light elastics between the top and bottom teeth. As treatment progressed the wires were increased along with the straight of the elastics to assure tooth movement and patient comfort. Final positioning of the teeth was accomplished without extractions or jaw surgery.

Final: This patient has a beautiful smile without extractions and jaw surgery as a result of current technology.