The Two by Four Appliance: A Versatile Appliance

From Volume 28, Issue 10, December 2001 | Pages 496-500

Authors

H. Fiona McKeown

BDS, MMedSci, FDS RCS, MOrth RCS

Registrar in Orthodontics, Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Articles by H. Fiona McKeown

Jonathan Sandlerd

BDS(Hons), MSc, FDS RCPS, MOrth RCS

Consultant Orthodontist, Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Articles by Jonathan Sandlerd

Abstract

The 2x4 appliance comprises bonds on the maxillary incisors, bands on the first permanent maxillary molars and a continuous archwire. The appliance is used in the early mixed dentition for treatment of both anterior crossbites and alignment of ectopic incisors. Four cases using this appliance are presented. This appliance offers many advantages over alternative techniques as it provides complete control of anterior tooth position, is extremely well tolerated, requires no adjustment by the patient and allows accurate and rapid positioning of the teeth

Article