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[A cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of maxillary protraction with repetitive rapid palatal expansions and
Weitao Liu1, Yang Song1, Xuedong Wang1
1Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of maxillary protraction combined with repetitive rapid palatal expansions and constrictions (RPE/C) vs. rapid palatal expansion (RPE) alone using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods:
Twenty four subjects with maxillary retrusion were recruited and block randomized into either the control group (n = 12) or the RPE/C (n = 12) group.
Control Group:
facemask protraction after RPE. RPE/C group: facemask protraction after RPE/C. 3D reconstruction, landmarks identifying, superimposition and cephalometric analysis were performed to compare the pre-treatment and post- treatment CBCT images.
Results:
One subject in the RPE/C group was lost to follow up during the treatment. Maxilla moved forward [(2.5±1.0) mm] after maxillary protraction with RPE/C, which was significantly greater than that in the control group [(1.6±0.8) mm] (P < 0.05). The distance of basion to subspinale (Ba-A) increased [(3.1±1.0) mm] in the RPE/C group, which was significantly greater than that in the control group [(2.2 ± 0.9) mm] (P < 0.05). The amount of forward movement of upper first molars was significantly greater in the RPE/C group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Maxillary protraction with RPE/C might positively affect the forward movement of maxilla compared with the RPE alone protocol with the early treatment of maxillary retrusion patients.
