The three planes of space in Phoenix orthodontic tooth movement are anteroposterior, transverse, and vertical.
Anteroposterior
The bone of the maxilla and mandible physically limits incisor retraction and flaring by the Phoenix orthodontist. Excessive retraction or flaring may result in a dehiscence of the cortical plate. Flaring of the incisors is also limited by the oral musculature. The dentition is in equilibrium with the oral musculature. By flaring the incisors, this equilibrium is upset. This leads to instability of the incisor position resulting in relapse.
Distal movement of maxillary molars by the Phoenix orthodontist is difficult to achieve and is limited by the length of the maxillary tuberosity. In the mandible, distal movement of the molars is even more difficult if not impossible to achieve. Any distal movement would be limited by the ramus of the mandible.
Transverse (mediolateral)
In the mandible, changes in the transverse dimension by the Phoenix orthodontist are relatively restricted. There is no suture present to allow for orthopedic expansion. The bone of the mandible limits dental tipping of the teeth. Excessive tipping may cause a dehiscence of the cortical plate. There is also concern about stability of any dental changes in the mediolateral plane as the dental position is limited by the oral musculature. Increases in the width at the mandibular canines have been shown to be unstable.
In the maxilla, Phoenix orthodontic changes in the transverse dimension are less restricted. During the adolescent years, rapid maxillary expansion by the Phoenix orthodontist can be used to increase maxillary width. This expansion is still limited by the oral musculature that pushes against the teeth. In addition, expansion in the maxilla is limited by the fact the maxillary dentition needs to occlude with the relatively restricted mandibular dentition.
Vertical (superior-inferior)
Orthodontic extrusion of teeth is limited by occlusion with the opposing dentition. In the maxilla, the major physical boundary to intrusion of teeth is the maxillary sinus. In the mandible, the dense cortical bone limits intrusion of teeth.
The other limits on the vertical dimension are the muscles of mastication. Patients of the Phoenix orthodontist with a short vertical dimension tend to have strong muscles of mastication that restrict the extrusion of teeth. Patient with a long vertical dimension tend to have weak muscles of mastication that do little to restrict the extrusion of teeth.
Litchfield Park Office
5220 N. Dysart Rd #150
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
TEL: 623.536.4939
FAX: 623.536.4877
Phoenix Office
7550 N. 19th Ave #101
Phoenix, AZ 85021
TEL: 602.864.0004
FAX: 602.864.0070
