Nitinol expansion for transverse maxillary deficiency

The authors have studied the use of nickel titanium palatal expander for the correction or collapsed maxillary arches and posterior cross bite. Nickel titanium, by virtue of its good physical properties i.e. superelasticity, shape memory and transition temperature effects shows superior results in comparison to the conventional methods of maxillary expansion using a jackscrew. The advantages are ease of manipulation, no complicated laboratory work is involved in its fabrication and minimal patient parent cooperation is required. By virtue of the continuous nature of the force the treatment time is shortened.