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Published on: October 20, 2023
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Maxillary changes with bone-borne surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: A prospective study.
Karlien Asscherickx1, Elke Govaerts2, Johan Aerts3
1Researcher, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Summary
Bone-borne surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion effectively widens the maxilla, particularly in anterior regions, with stable results observed 10 weeks post-expansion. This method increases arch perimeter without significant relapse.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Dental Research
Background:
- Maxillary hypoplasia often requires surgical intervention for correction.
- Transpalatal distraction offers a method to expand the maxilla.
- Bone-borne distractors provide skeletal anchorage, potentially improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate post-expansion positional changes of maxillary halves.
- To assess the initial stability of the maxilla after transpalatal distraction.
- To analyze outcomes without pterygomaxillary disjunction using a bone-borne distractor.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 21 patients (mean age 26 years 5 months).
- Utilized a bone-borne distractor with standard corticotomies.
- Measurements taken from dental casts and cephalograms pre-surgery, post-expansion, and 10 weeks later.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in maxillary width observed in canine (35.5%), premolar (26.3%), and molar (17.8%) regions.
- Buccal tipping of maxillary segments noted, with greater expansion anteriorly.
- Arch perimeter increased by 9.16%; no significant changes between end of expansion and 10-week follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Bone-borne surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion achieves substantial maxillary expansion and increased arch perimeter.
- The procedure demonstrates initial stability with no significant relapse within 10 weeks.
- This technique offers a viable option for maxillary expansion without pterygomaxillary disjunction.
