Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion compared with orthopedic rapid maxillary expansion

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Craniofacial Surgery

Background:

• Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common orthodontic treatment.
• Surgically assisted RME (SARME) is used for older patients with less facial growth.
• Comparing dental and skeletal changes between RME and SARME is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare dental and skeletal changes during orthopedic RME and SARME.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of both RME and SARME techniques during the active treatment phase.

Main Methods:

• Two groups of 10 patients each underwent RME or SARME using Hyrax-type expanders.
• Patients received two turns of activation daily (0.25 mm per turn).
• Lateral and posteroanterior cephalograms were taken pre- and post-expansion.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences were observed in N-ANS, SN/PP, SNA, SNB, mandibular dentoalveolar, and maxillary bony base measurements between groups.
• No clinically significant differences in patient response were found between RME and SARME.
• Treatment indication (RME vs. SARME) was primarily based on patient age and skeletal maturity.

Conclusions:

• Both RME and SARME achieve comparable clinical results in maxillary expansion.
• Skeletal changes differ between the two methods, influenced by patient's skeletal maturation.
• The choice between RME and SARME should be guided by individual patient characteristics.