Minimally invasive rapid palatal expansion with an implant-supported hyrax screw

Rapid palatal expansion is indicated in the orthopedic treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency for correction of severe crossbite. The fixation of the appliance at the tooth crowns leads to more tipping connected with resorptions at the buccal cortical bone, fenestrations and gingival retraction. The aim of the present study was focused on the improvement of bodily movement and optimization of the surgical osteotomy (Glassman's technique) in adult patients with application of the Dresden Distractor (DD). In 18 patients, the new method with a special mechanism of adaptation involving minimized surgical intervention and direct fixation of the hyrax screw by one implant and one bone screw was tested. The implants were loaded directly by activation of the hyrax screw two times per day. CT scans were taken before and 6 months after insertion of the DD. In the horizontal and vertical planes there was a V-shaped opening of the suture in anterior and cranial direction, corroborating previous studies. Dental arch also showed this V-shape, indicating tooth protection. DD is a suitable minimally invasive tooth-independent bone-borne expansion method, protecting teeth and causing skeletal as well as dental effect with tipping reduced by 10 degrees.