Slow expansion in orthodontics -A review article

Abstract

One of the most common problems faced by an orthodontist while treating young as well as adult patients is the constricted maxillary arch. Expansion of the maxillary arch has been a topic of debate since centuries. The commonly used methods for constricted arch include slow maxillary expansion, rapid maxillary expansion and surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). Slow palatal expansion is a procedure to expand the maxillary arch in transverse dimension to correct the constricted maxillary arch with light forces. The following review article provides detailed information of various slow maxillary expansion appliances with their implications in orthodontics.