The reduction of the transverse dimension of the mandible and the maxilla is one of the crowding etiological factors. Therefore, expansion will not only restore the proper dental arch range, but it will also provide additional space for subsequent alignment. Treatment of transverse discrepancies is supposed to promote arch perimeter increase, often allowing overall teeth-crowding correction. Retention is necessary in expansion cases, because teeth that have been moved tend to return to their former positions. There is little agreement as to the reason for this tendency; suggested influences include musculature, apical base transseptal fibers, and bone morphology. In this article we have summarized the different methods. All the methods are effective and it depends on clinician to use methods depending on case to case.
Expansion, Stabilization, Retention
