TLucy presented at 10 years of age, in the late mixed dentition, with mildly crowded dental arches.
Several teeth had not yet erupted but crowding was nevertheless quite evident.
In particular, the unerupted upper right canine was crowded out of the arch and, if left alone, would erupt locked out of the arch, in a most unsightly position.
It was decided to treat this case with our non extraction technique, thus avoiding the removal of adult teeth.

The first appliances used were an upper removable brace - a "Nudger" - and a lower Lip Bumper.

A few months later, the crowded canine is erupting and the Nudger can be seen to be moving the upper molars backwards, thus creating room further forwards for the alignment of anterior teeth.
The Lip Bumper has a similar effect in the lower arch (pictures 3 & 4).

After a few months, considerable space has been created in the middle of the upper arch. This gives room for the alignment of the previously crowded canine. At this stage, headgear is fitted to bands on the upper molars and the Nudger was discarded.The headgear is worn for an average of around 12 to 14 hours per day - usually from 5pm, through the night, to 7am next morning.
This maintains the space gained previously, while the teeth are aligned. Headgear is easily put on and removed and is not at all uncomfortable.

Full upper and lower fixed appliances are then used to complete the alignment.

After a few months with the fixed brace the alignment is nearly complete.

An excellent occlusion, with all teeth present. Total treatment time was 16 months.