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Dental arch changes associated with rapid maxillary expansion: A retrospective model analysis study
Ivor M D'Souza1, H C Kiran Kumar1, K Sadashiva Shetty1
1Department of Orthodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
Contemporary Clinical Dentistry
|February 17, 2015
Summary
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) significantly increases arch width and perimeter in orthodontic patients, with arch length showing a slight decrease. These positive changes in dental arch dimensions are stable after fixed mechanotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Craniofacial Development
- Dental Arch Mechanics
Background:
- Transverse deficiency of the maxilla is a prevalent issue in orthodontics, causing aesthetic and functional impairments.
- Orthopedic maxillary expansion is a key treatment for increasing maxillary transverse dimension in young patients.
- This procedure offers potential for increasing arch perimeter to alleviate crowding without compromising facial profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between transverse expansion and changes in arch perimeter, arch width, and arch length.
- To assess the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on dental arch dimensions.
- To evaluate the stability of these changes after fixed mechanotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Ten subjects (5 males, 5 females) treated with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using a hyrax expander followed by fixed mechanotherapy (PEA).
- Comparison of pre-treatment (T1), post-expansion (T2), and post-treatment (T3) dental models to measure changes.
- Statistical analysis using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc tests to compare changes between time points and correlate arch perimeter with arch widths.
Main Results:
- Significant increases observed in intercanine (2.9 mm), inter first premolar (3.2 mm), inter second premolar (4.6 mm), and intermolar (4.4 mm) arch widths.
- Arch perimeter increased by 3.2 mm, while arch length decreased by 1.8 mm from pre-treatment to post-treatment.
- Strong positive correlations found between arch perimeter and arch widths at canine, premolar, and molar regions (r² = 0.98–0.99).
Conclusions:
- Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) leads to significant and stable increases in maxillary arch width and perimeter.
- Arch length shows a non-significant decrease during and after RME treatment.
- The findings confirm the efficacy of RME in expanding the dental arch and improving arch form, with stable outcomes.
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