Rapid maxillary expansion assisted by palatal mini-implants in adolescents - preliminary study

Our preliminary clinical study compares the transverse skeletal and dento-alveolar modifications occurring after rapid maxillary expansion with purely dental anchorage or with dental anchorage assisted by palatal mini-implants, in endognathic adolescents aged 12 to 17. Nine patients were treated by means of tooth- and implant-supported expansion, and 7 others by means of a purely tooth-borne expander. The changes, 4 months after expansion, were measured on impressions and front-view X-rays in the 2 groups, and on three-dimensional X-rays for 6 patients treated by tooth- and implant-supported expansion. In our sample, tooth- and implant-supported expansion preserved the alveolar bone of 14/24 and gave rise to less buccal tipping of 16/26 than purely tooth-borne expansion.