Nance Appliance

The Nance appliance is commonly used in orthodontic cases where space maintenance, anchorage reinforcement, and stability of the upper dental arch are required.

Benefits

Space maintenance: The primary function of the Nance appliance is to preserve space in the upper dental arch. It prevents the molars from drifting forward and closing the space prematurely, allowing sufficient room for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.

Prevents midline shift: The Nance appliance helps prevent midline shift, which is the movement of the upper front teeth away from the centerline. It provides stability and prevents the upper arch from becoming asymmetrical.

Anchorage reinforcement: The Nance appliance serves as an anchorage device, providing additional support and stability to the molars. It helps anchor the posterior teeth and prevents them from moving forward, which can be particularly useful in cases where orthodontic treatment involves the retraction or alignment of anterior teeth.

Minimizes undesired tooth movement: By providing a stable anchor point, the Nance appliance minimizes undesired tooth movement in the upper arch. It helps maintain the positions of the posterior teeth, reducing the chances of relapse or unwanted shifting during orthodontic treatment.

Aids in palate expansion: Some Nance appliances include an acrylic button that contacts the palatal tissues. This button can assist in expanding the width of the upper dental arch, especially in cases of posterior crossbites or insufficient arch width.

Versatile and customizable: The Nance appliance can be customized to fit each patient’s specific dental arch and space maintenance needs. It can be adjusted and modified as necessary throughout the treatment process, allowing for flexibility and individualized care.

Premature loss of primary (baby) molars: If a primary molar is lost earlier than its normal time of exfoliation, the Nance appliance can be used to maintain the space until the permanent molars are ready to erupt. It prevents the adjacent teeth from shifting forward and closing the space prematurely.

Preventing midline shift: The Nance appliance is often used to prevent midline shift in the upper arch. It helps stabilize the upper front teeth and maintain their position in the centerline. This is especially beneficial when there is a risk of midline deviation or a tendency for the upper front teeth to move away from the midline.

Anchorage reinforcement: In orthodontic cases where there is a need for anchorage reinforcement, the Nance appliance can be used to provide additional support to the molars. It helps anchor the posterior teeth and prevents them from moving forward during orthodontic treatment, particularly when there is a requirement to retract or align anterior teeth.

Crossbite correction: The Nance appliance can aid in the correction of posterior crossbites. It helps expand the upper dental arch and correct any crossbite relationship between the upper and lower teeth.

Palate expansion: Some Nance appliances are designed with an acrylic button that contacts the palatal tissues. This button can assist in expanding the width of the upper dental arch, particularly in cases where there is insufficient arch width or a need for palate expansion.