Orthodontic or surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Craniofacial Surgery

Background:

• Transverse maxillary deficiency is a common condition affecting facial aesthetics and function.
• Treatment options for maxillary hypoplasia range from conventional orthodontics to surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present, compare, and discuss various techniques for rapid maxillary expansion (RME).
• To evaluate the efficacy of different RME approaches based on patient age and skeletal maturity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on orthodontic and surgical rapid maxillary expansion.
• Comparative analysis of treatment outcomes based on patient demographics and clinical presentation.

Main Results:

• Conventional orthodontic RME is highly successful in children and adolescents prior to maxillary suture fusion.
• Skeletally mature patients exhibit reduced success rates with conventional RME due to increased sutural resistance.
• Surgical-assisted RME offers a viable alternative for older patients or those with severe transverse discrepancies.

Conclusions:

• The choice of RME technique is multifactorial, influenced by patient age, degree of transverse deficiency, and patient preference.
• Early intervention with orthodontic RME is recommended for optimal outcomes in growing individuals.
• Surgical intervention becomes increasingly indicated with advanced skeletal maturity and greater expansion requirements.