Expansion of the mandibular arch using a trombone appliance

Abstract

Objective: This case report describes orthodontic treatment of contracted mandibular arch using a trombone appliance. Methods: A 14-year-old girl with Class II division 2 malocclusion, retroclined maxillary incisors, and buccally displaced maxillary canines required dental expansion in 3 spatial directions to correct the contracted maxillary and mandibular arches. In the initial phase of treatment, the maxillary arch was expanded and distalized using a quad-helix appliance and cervical headgear. Following the expansion and leveling of the maxillary arch, a trombone appliance was used to expand the mandibular arch. On correction of the mandibular arch and provision of sufficient space to level the mandibular teeth, fixed orthodontic treatment phase was initiated. Results: A trombone appliance proved effective in correcting the contracted mandibular arch. Because of labiolingual and transversal expansion, the mandibular dental arch perimeter was increased by 7.4 ㎜; the misalignment of the mandibular teeth was corrected successfully. Conclusions: A trombone appliance may serve as an appropriate clinical alternative for treating moderate mandibular arch crowding caused by the contraction of the dental arch.