Elastodontic appliance assisted fixed appliance treatment: A new two-phase protocol for extraction cases

Abstract

Elastodontic appliance (EA) is a type of removable appliance that has been widely used in interceptive orthodontics. The present case report describes a severe crowding case treated with a new two-phase protocol by using an EA and a fixed appliance. A 13-year-old patient with severe dental crowding, increased overjet and overbite on a skeletal Class II base was selected. The patient had four bicuspids extracted; during the first phase of treatment, she wore the EA for 2 h during the daytime plus overnight, combined with a myofunctional exercise. During the second phase of treatment, a fixed appliance was employed to close residual space and improve the teeth angulations. The total treatment time was 14 months, of which the second phase with fixed appliance lasted 10 months. Satisfactory improvements of the overjet and teeth alignment were achieved. This case report used a new two-phase treatment protocol which resulted in a favourable outcome after comparatively short treatment.