[Experiences with surgically supported maxillary expansion]

The experience of a method for surgical support of a rapid maxillary expansion is described. The attached region of the maxillary zygomatic process and the dorsal and middle part of the hard palate are osteomized. The results of 18 patients are demonstrated. Almost all patients underwent surgical correction of the sagittal and/or vertical jaw discrepancies later. This surgical-orthodontic expansion proved to be an effective and low pain method for preoperative correction of transverse maxillary deficiencies and facilitated the subsequent skeletal surgery. After the treatment mentioned above in cases with a correct position of the maxilla in relation to the skull base a Le-Fort-I-Osteotomie was not necessary.