Seven-year follow-up of the nonsurgical expansion of maxillary and mandibular arches in a young adult: A case report

BACKGROUND Palatal expansion treatment has been used to expand the constricted maxillary arch and has become a routine procedure in orthodontic practice over the past decades.However,the long-term stability of expansion in the permanent dentition without a surgical approach is uncertain.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with Class II malocclusion and constricted arches.The patient was treated with rapid palatal expansion(RPE)followed by a fixed orthodontic appliance.A 7-year follow-up evaluation was performed by analyzing cephalometric radiographs,plaster models,and photographs.The patient’s constricted maxillary and mandibular arches were relived after the expansion treatment.A Class I occlusion and normal arch form were established and maintained in the long-term.CONCLUSION RPE treatment is successful in solving constricted dental arch in the permanent dentition without a surgical approach.Permanent retention and even occlusal contact help prevent long-term relapse.