Expand Your Reality

Credit Details
This electronically delivered self-instructional program is designated for 1.5 hours of CE credit by Farran Media.
AGD Code: 370.

There is no fee to view this course. There is a fee of $36 to take the exam and claim CE credits for this course.

Synopsis:
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is the traditional and most common method of correcting a transverse discrepancy in preadolescent patients, whereby heavy forces are delivered rapidly to the maxilla over a short period of time. Yet numerous studies have shown these heavy forces to be dangerous and destructive to the immature facial bones of younger patients. Slow maxillary expansion (SME), by contrast, delivers lighter, safer, more physiologic forces over a longer period of time. However, traditional methods of SME are often cumbersome, uncomfortable, imprecise and difficult to adjust and calibrate. Additionally, while it’s extremely common for the mandibular arch to be constricted in younger patients, many providers don’t try to expand the mandibular arch during interceptive treatment. Those who do are likely to find mandibular expansion appliances clinically challenging for the provider and unpleasant for the patient.

Full-fixed appliances (braces and wires) are an often overlooked yet minimally invasive and well-tolerated way to expand constricted arches in preadolescent patients who present in the early mixed dentition. Cases will be presented to demonstrate the efficacy and stability of this technique, and the need for additional research into this approach will be discussed.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Explain why slow maxillary expansion is preferable to rapid maxillary expansion in younger (i.e., preadolescent) patients.
• Describe the biological differences between rapid and slow maxillary expansion.
• Understand the importance of addressing a transverse discrepancy in the mandibular arch as part of interceptive treatment.
• Determine which patients can benefit from interceptive treatment to expand the maxilla and the mandibular arch.
• Recognize the advantages of using full-fixed appliances over traditional “expanders” when performing interceptive treatment on preadolescent patients in the early mixed dentition.

Description of Speaker:
Dr. Michael K. DeLuke is a board-certified orthodontist who received his specialty training at the University of Connecticut. DeLuke practiced for 18 years at DeLuke Orthodontics before retiring from private practice to teach full time. He has served as a faculty member at several hospitals and orthodontic residencies, including as the cleft-craniofacial orthodontist at Albany Medical Center in New York.

DeLuke recently founded DeLuke Orthodontic Coaching (DOC), an ADA-CERP-recognized provider. He also created The DOC Podcast to help his colleagues attain the highest level of personal, professional and financial success. DeLuke is a fitness enthusiast and former boxer who still actively trains. He resides in Naples, Florida, with his wife and two teenage daughters.

Disclosure:
Disclosure: The author declares that in the past 12 months, neither he nor any member of his family has had a financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any commercial entities or been paid directly by dentists and other health professionals within the field of dentistry or health care.

Legal Disclaimer:
The CE provider (Farran Media) uses reasonable care in selecting and providing content that is accurate. The CE provider, however, does not independently verify the content or materials. The CE provider does not represent that the instructional materials are error-free or that the content or materials are comprehensive. Any opinions expressed in the materials are those of the author of the materials and not the CE provider. Completing one or more continuing education courses does not provide sufficient information to qualify the participant as an expert in the field related to the course topic or in any specific technique or procedure. The instructional materials are intended to supplement, but are not a substitute for, the knowledge, expertise, skill and judgment of a trained health care professional.

Licensure:
Continuing education credits issued for completion of online CE courses may not apply toward license renewal in all licensing jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of each registrant to verify the CE requirements of his/her licensing or regulatory agency.

State CE Requirements:
Click Here for CE requirements by state. Please note that this information is current as of the time of listing. This information is subject to change at any time from the state boards. For the most up-to-date information, please contact your state board directly.

Refund Policy
There are no refunds for Online CE courses. Please contact technical support if you run into technical difficulty.

CE Contact
For any questions, please contact Nareg Apelian, DMD, Director of Continuing Education at nareg@farranmedia.com