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Updated: May 18, 2026
Finite Element Analysis Model for Assessing Expansion Patterns from Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion
Published on: October 20, 2023
Rapid maxillary expansion: effects on palatal area investigated by computed tomography in growing subjects
1Department of Orthodontics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. robertalione@yahoo.it
Aim:
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the palatal area as assessed by low-dose CT before treatment (T0), at the end of active expansion (T1) and after a retention period of 6 months (T2).
Materials And Methods:
The study sample comprised 17 prepubertal subjects (mean age 11.2 years) with constricted maxillary arches. Total amount of expansion was 7 mm in all subjects. Multi-slice low-dose CT scans were taken at T0, T1, and T2. On axial CT scanned images a circle line corresponding to the palatal area was drawn and the area inside the circle registered at all three observation times. The area was measured in mm². Statistical comparisons were carried out with Friedman test with post-hoc tests (P<0.05).
Results:
The palatal area showed a significant increase from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2 as a consequence of the opening of the midpalatal suture after RME.
Conclusion:
Opening the midpalatal suture by using orthopedic forces allowed to extend the area of the maxilla. After a 6-months retention period the palatal area demonstrated a stable increase due to a bone deposition along the midpalatal suture in both the anterior and posterior parts of the maxilla.
